This bill aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of plastic packaging and certain plastic products in New Jersey by mandating producers to decrease the weight of covered materials sold or distributed in the state. Specifically, producers must achieve a reduction to 90% of a baseline value within two years, 80% within four years, 70% within six years, 60% within eight years, and ultimately to 50% within ten years after the bill's effective date. Additionally, it requires that all cardboard packaging contain at least 75% postconsumer recycled content and achieve a recycling rate of at least 75% starting two years after the bill's enactment.

The bill also establishes a Toxic Packaging Task Force within the Department of Environmental Protection to review the toxicity of packaging materials and recommend additional toxic substances for regulation. It prohibits the sale of packaging or products containing specific harmful substances, including PFAS, ortho-phthalates, and bisphenols. To ensure compliance, the bill introduces civil penalties for violations, with fines up to $10,000 per day for packaging requirements and $7,500 per day for violations of the Toxic Packaging Reduction Act. Overall, the legislation seeks to promote safer alternatives and enhance restrictions on toxic substances in packaging materials.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-99.47