Lambertville City Council on Monday unanimously passed a comprehensive plastic ban law prohibiting local businesses from providing single-use plastic bags, Styrofoam and polystyrene foam containers, and plastic straws to customers at checkout.
The new ordinance also requires stores to offer customer-recyclable paper carryout bags or reusable bags, and allows plastic straws to be provided to customers upon request.
The new law will be phased in as a voluntary opt-in program beginning Oct. 1, then become mandatory beginning Jan. 1, 2020.
“In an important win for the environment and the battle against plastics, Lambertville passed the most comprehensive plastic ban ordinance in the state,” said Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “No other town has banned plastic bags, plastic straws, Stryofoam, and polystyrene until now. It is important that more cities and towns are taking important steps to reduce their plastic waste because they have become a major threat to our drinking water, beaches, and wildlife.”
“By adopting a comprehensive plastic ban, Lambertville continues to lead the way into a green future,” said Mayor Dave Del Vecchio. “To ensure effective and user-friendly implementation, we are implementing the measure through a step-by-step phased-in approach.”
Merchantile, Broadmoor Restaurant, Owowcow, Lambertville Station, and many other businesses in Lambertville have already discontinued the use of Styrofoam, plastic bags, or plastic straws, according to the Sierra Club.
Last month, New Jersey Governor Murphy vetoed the plastic bag fee bill, and now the state legislature is moving forward on a comprehensive ban on single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, and polystyrene, says the environmental group.
“Since we have become a use-once and throwaway society, New Jersey needs to start looking into ways to combat this plastic pollution, and a state-wide ban on these products is the best way to start,” said Tittel. “We applaud the Lambertville Town Council for taking an initiative towards making our state cleaner with one of the strongest plastic ban ordinances in the state.”
everyone should get a spork, cup and bowl at birth and we should be able to wash them and use them every day at any cafe or restaurant
Bell’s standard is to give paper straws now as well, or at least they did last month. A grumpy patron at the table next to us demanded a plastic one, and they obliged, but I was more than pleased with seeing the paper one. Thanks Bell’s!