The New Jersey Food Council and Linda Doherty, president and CEO, issued a statement May 4 in response to the recent plastic bag legislation passed.
“After many years of being in the middle of policy discussions on single-use paper and plastic bags, and polystyrene, this landmark plastic legislation, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy on Nov. 4, 2000, goes into effect in New Jersey today.”
Doherty described how “immensely proud” the state is now that it has “the most groundbreaking bag ban and plastic law in the nation.” She stated the NJFC believes it showcases the industry’s commitment to environmental factors and is formally “taking a stand against the plastic pollution that has become a worldwide menace.”
Doherty mentioned in the statement that the legislation was passed thanks to the efforts of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jersey Clean Communities Council and the New Jersey Business Action Center.
“At the Food Council, we have initiated every tool to be certain our members are informed of the new law. We held numerous working group sessions to toil through compliance, hosted webinars to educate members, distributed guidance and clarifications on the law to members and the public, produced public service announcements, uploaded member podcasts, highlighted the effort in our weekly newsletter, completed countless media interviews, participated in regular meetings with our government partners to address member questions and concerns and supported a tool kit of resources on our website for member downloads to promote the law to their associates and customers.
“It has been a complete effort and campaign in which we have reached millions of NJ residents and all food retailers with this important message over a relatively short period of time. While we acknowledge the law will be a challenge to our growing e-commerce shopping platforms, members are already developing innovation solutions.”
Doherty finished the statement by expressing that this legislation is “a remarkable moment and a milestone in the history of the NJ food retail business.”
For more information, visit NJFoodCouncil.com.
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