TRENTON, NJ – New Jersey leads the country in a lot of bad things, but soon it can lead the country in most things banned.
A Democratic state lawmaker is considering legislation to ban single-use plastic water bottles in the state.
Assemblymember Joe Danielsen, a Democrat from Somerset County, revealed in an interview with POLITICO his interest in proposing this ban after observing similar measures in Massachusetts towns. Danielsen mentioned that he has been in contact with legislative colleagues and environmental groups to discuss the potential initiative.
“I’m looking into this,” he said. “Single-use plastic bottles are not getting recycled nearly at the rate they’re supposed to be and are often left out along the streets.”
The specifics of the proposed prohibition remain undefined, and the idea is still in the preliminary stages. Danielsen noted that he has been considering the Cape Cod towns’ approach as a possible model. In 2023, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order banning state agencies from purchasing single-use plastic water bottles.
Further developments on this proposal are anticipated as Danielsen continues to gather support and input from various stakeholders.
New Jersey already bans the use of single-use plastic straws and bags.