Plastic bag battle heats up as Mikie Sherrill vows to keep ban, Ciattarelli pledges repeal
TRENTON, NJ – The debate over New Jersey’s plastic bag ban is back in the political spotlight as Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli stake out opposing positions ahead of this year’s election for governor.
Speaking recently, Sherrill said New Jersey “shouldn’t be using plastic bags” and promised to continue former Governor Phil Murphy’s landmark environmental policy if elected. The ban, enacted in 2022, prohibits single-use plastic and paper bags at grocery stores and major retailers.
Ciattarelli, meanwhile, told supporters he would “end the plastic bag ban on day one,” arguing the policy has inconvenienced shoppers and small businesses while creating more waste from reusable bags.
A ban years in the making
The plastic bag ban was signed into law by Murphy in 2020 and took effect two years later, making New Jersey one of the strictest states in the nation on single-use plastics.
It was hailed as a major environmental victory for Democrats, aimed at reducing litter in waterways and protecting wildlife.
But soon after it began, the law faced widespread backlash. Shoppers complained about being forced to purchase multiple reusable bags, which often accumulated at home or ended up in the trash.
Small retailers said they struggled to comply with the rules, and grocery delivery services reported logistical headaches as customers were left with piles of unwanted bags.
Public frustration fuels political divide
Polling over the past two years has shown the ban remains unpopular with many residents, particularly in suburban and rural areas. Critics have called it government overreach, while supporters say it has dramatically cut down on plastic pollution statewide.
Sherrill, who represents the state’s 11th congressional district, said she views the law as part of a broader environmental commitment. “We’ve made progress we shouldn’t undo,” she said. Ciattarelli countered that the policy was “poorly executed” and “tone-deaf to working families.”
Environmental stakes and political optics
Environmental groups like Clean Ocean Action and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters have urged candidates to defend the ban, citing data showing sharp drops in plastic litter along the coast since its implementation. However, Republican and independent voters have increasingly linked the issue to economic and quality-of-life concerns.
With the state’s gubernatorial race shaping up as a referendum on Murphy-era policies, the future of the plastic bag ban may hinge on whether voters value environmental protection over convenience.
For now, one thing is certain: the bag debate isn’t going anywhere—except, perhaps, back into the checkout line.