Dive Brief:
- On Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy removed any mention of a 5-cent fee associated with single-use bags from the state budget via a line-item veto, reports NJ.com.
- Bill A3267/S2600 targets paper and plastic bags used at chain stores and large retailers. The projected $23 million that would have been generated from the fees was meant to go toward a lead-abatement fund under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). But further additions to the budget would have diverted those funds to other uses, sparking ire among environmental groups. They want the governor to either increase the fee or push for a total ban on plastic bags.
- The New Jersey Audubon and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters want the fee to be 10 cents per bag. New Jersey Audubon spokesperson Sandra Meola told NJ.com, "While (the bag fee is) not the strongest policy structure, it's a great start for New Jersey." She added that the best case scenario would be for the proposal to lead to a plastic bag ban with continued fees for paper bags.
For the full article, click here.