The resolution urges the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Economic Development Authority (EDA) to establish a marketplace for recycling single-use plastics. It highlights the significant environmental issues caused by single-use plastics, which are designed for brief use and often end up in landfills, waterways, or as pollution. Current recycling rates in New Jersey are low, ranging from six to thirteen percent, and mismanaged plastic waste poses risks to drainage systems, public health, and marine life. The resolution emphasizes the need for research and development of technologies to transform single-use plastics into useful products, thereby reducing their presence in the environment.

To address these challenges, the resolution calls for the DEP to utilize funds from the State Recycling Fund to conduct necessary research for the marketplace, while the EDA is urged to encourage and provide funding for its establishment. The goal is to increase recycling rates and decrease the environmental impact of single-use plastics, which not only harm ecosystems but also affect tourism and local industries. The resolution will be transmitted to relevant state officials to facilitate action on this pressing issue.