TRENTON, N.J. – Witnesses shed light on approaches to combat plastics pollution during Monday’s session of the Senate and Assembly Environment Committee. Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and a former EPA regional administrator, shared that despite decades of efforts, plastic recycling remains ineffective. In response to Assemblyman Michael Inganamort’s inquiry, Enck expressed skepticism about the feasibility of successful plastic recycling within New Jersey.
During the hearing, Inganamort emphasized the importance of practicing the three R’s – reduce, reuse, and recycle – to tackle pollution issues, emphasizing that banning products outright may not provide a sustainable solution. Asserting that recycling challenges should not lead to abandonment but rather innovation, Inganamort, representing Morris, urged New Jerseyans to maximize the reuse of plastics. His sentiment echoed the call for a more comprehensive approach to environmental conservation and plastic waste management.
In light of Earth Day, efforts to raise awareness around responsible plastic use and waste reduction have gained momentum in New Jersey. Inganamort urged the state to leverage its innovative capabilities to steer towards a more sustainable future. The discussion took place in the joint hearing and aimed at exploring concrete strategies to address the pressing challenges of plastics pollution on both a local and global scale. The session underscores the ongoing efforts of policymakers and environmental advocates in New Jersey to grapple with the complex issue of plastic waste management. The entire session can be accessed through the provided link for those interested in diving deeper into the discourse on plastic pollution mitigation strategies.