The proposed bill aims to significantly reduce plastic waste in New Jersey by mandating producers of plastic packaging and certain plastic products to decrease the quantity of plastic sold, offered for sale, or distributed. Specifically, producers are required to achieve a 10% reduction within two years and a 50% reduction by the tenth year, using a baseline established in the year prior to the bill's enactment. Additionally, the bill stipulates that all cardboard packaging must contain at least 75% postconsumer recycled content and achieve a recycling rate of at least 75% starting two years after the bill's effective date. To support these efforts, a Toxic Packaging Task Force will be established to evaluate and recommend additional toxic substances for regulation under the Toxic Packaging Reduction Act.

To enforce these new regulations, the bill introduces civil penalties for noncompliance, with fines ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per violation. It also amends existing regulations concerning toxic substances in packaging, specifically targeting heavy metals and other harmful additives, while clarifying definitions related to their presence. The legislation prohibits the sale or promotional use of packaging or products containing specific toxic substances, such as PFAS and bisphenols, and establishes a timeline for producers to reduce the weight of their plastic packaging. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance public health protections and promote sustainable practices by regulating toxic materials in packaging.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-99.47