This bill aims to make the annual allocation of $500,000 from the Clean Communities Program Fund to the Department of Environmental Protection for public outreach concerning the single-use plastics reduction program a permanent fixture in New Jersey law. Currently, this allocation is only applicable for the first three years following the enactment of P.L.2020, c.117. The bill amends Section 5 of P.L.2002, c.128 (C.13:1E-217) to ensure that the funding continues indefinitely, thereby supporting ongoing education and implementation efforts related to the state's single-use plastics ban.

The Clean Communities Program Fund is financed through user fees from manufacturers and retailers of litter-generating products, penalties, and voluntary contributions. The funds are utilized for various initiatives, including public education on litter abatement and the establishment of programs like bag redistribution for food banks. The bill emphasizes the importance of sustained funding for these outreach efforts, which are crucial for promoting responsible waste handling and reducing single-use plastics in New Jersey.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 13:1E-217