Dear Editor:
The proposed Jersey City ordinance to ban plastic bags is so limited in scope and bereft of public feedback that it appears to be merely greenwashing, feel-good legislation that does not address the problem – the sources of plastic bag litter and waste in the streets and gutters of Jersey City from small retail, grocery, and take out food shops.
The ordinance applies only to supermarkets with $2 million and more in sales and pharmacies with five or more locations in Jersey City. Most stores covered by this ordinance already have in-store recycling programs and offer cash credits to use canvas bags and re-use plastic bags.
Jersey City can do better to develop a meaningful plan to address the litter and waste of plastic bags by involving all of the stakeholders – the public and businesses.
A tax on plastic or all disposable bags (implemented in Washington, DC) should be seriously considered as a better alternative to an outright ban. A tax attaches cost and value to use and leaves people with a choice while providing a new source of sorely needed revenue to the city.
Daniel Levin
onejerseycity.org