Home » Local organizations work together to provide free reusable grocery bags – ban on non-reusable bags starts 5/4/22

Local organizations work together to provide free reusable grocery bags – ban on non-reusable bags starts 5/4/22

by Community Contributor

Hopewell Township and Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space (FoHVOS) are pleased to announce that they will be providing 2000 free reusable bags to local residents. This program was designed to help citizens prepare for the ban on single use plastic and paper bags that Governor Murphy signed into law back in November 2020, which will go into effect May 4, 2022.

Over the past several months, FoHVOS, the Hopewell Valley Green Team, Hopewell Township, Pennington Quality Market and HVRSD’s Green Week Committee, with funding from NJ Clean have worked diligently to get the word out. The rollout of free bags will begin the week leading up to Earth Day with giveaways throughout the Green Week activities at Hopewell Valley Central High School. Bags are currently available at PQM, and you can also stop by the FoHVOS table at Pennington Day (May 21) and pick up a free bag while supplies last.

Hopewell Township Mayor Courtney Peters-Manning views the legislation in a local context: “As demonstrated by our strong commitment to open space, protecting our environment has always been a critical priority in Hopewell Township. We are honored to partner with FoHVOS and support BagUpNJ to help members of our community transition to reusable bags,” she said.

Mike Rothwell, President and General Manager of Pennington Quality Market, said he believes that “making more sustainable decisions today will protect our environment for future generations. Single-use plastic products are one of the single greatest contributors to litter and marine debris”

Paul Kinney, Hopewell Valley Environmental Commission Vice-Chair, echoed those sentiments saying, “the impacts of just this one law in one state will make significant improvements at the local and state levels with benefits felt beyond our borders.” Kinney also shared statistics detailing the estimated positive impact of making the switch to reusable bags, which can be found here: bit.ly/twpbagban

Lisa Wolff, Executive Director of FoHVOS said: “The new law, enacted by the New Jersey Legislature, is the most progressive bag ban law in the country and our goal over the past several months has been to help educate the public.  Now that the implementation of the law is just around the corner, we are also pleased to be able to offer residents a free bag.  We are fortunate to live in a community where local organizations work together to help create a better environment for all of our residents.” 

ABOUT:

New Jersey Clean Communities Council, Inc. (NJCCC) is the 501c3 nonprofit that works closely with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey Department of Treasury to administer the Clean Communities program. The Clean Communities Council oversees the implementation of litter abatement programs in 558 municipalities and 21 counties, collects statistical reports, maintains a database of information that tracks local programs, and implements a statewide program of public information and education that targets Clean Communities coordinators, schools, and the general public. The Clean Communities Council also administers New Jersey’s Adopt-a-Beach and Adopt-a- Highway programs.

Bag Up NJ” is the New Jersey Clean Communities Council’s new single use plastic and paper bag ban outreach campaign, which has a simple message: Bring your own reusable bag(s) when you shop.  This campaign educates and reminds consumers about their options for sustainability at the checkout counter. Consumers can bring their own reusable bags when they shop and recycle their plastic bags.  For more information about BagUp New Jersey click here

Friends of Hopewell Valley Open Space is an accredited non-profit land trust that is dedicated to preserving the Valley’s character by partnering with the community to preserve land, protect natural resources and inspire a new generation of conservation.  To learn more about FoHVOS click here

Hopewell Township – for more information click here

About Us

MercerMe is the only hyperlocal, independent, online news outlet serving Hopewell Valley in Mercer County, New Jersey.

Contact us: [email protected]

Search Our Archives