Earth Day is New Jersey’s one day a year to tackle plastic waste

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TRENTON, NJ – Witnesses shed light on approaches to combating plastic pollution during Monday’s session of the Senate and Assembly Environment Committee. Judith Enck, president of Beyond Plastics and former EPA regional director, said that despite decades of efforts, plastic recycling remains ineffective. In response to Assemblyman Michael Inganamort’s research, Enck expressed skepticism about the feasibility of successful plastic recycling in New Jersey.

During the hearing, Inganamort emphasized the importance of putting the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – into practice to tackle pollution problems, stressing that banning products completely may not provide a sustainable solution. Inganamort, representing Morris, urged New Jerseyans to maximize the reuse of plastics. His sentiment reflected calls for a more comprehensive approach to environmental conservation and plastic waste management.

In light of Earth Day, efforts to raise awareness about responsible plastic use and waste reduction have accelerated in New Jersey. Inganamort urged the state to leverage its innovative capabilities to steer towards a more sustainable future. The discussion took place during the joint hearing and aimed to explore concrete strategies to address the pressing challenges of plastic pollution on both a local and global scale. The session highlights the ongoing efforts of New Jersey policymakers and environmentalists to address the complex issue of plastic waste management. The entire session can be accessed via the link provided for those interested in delving deeper into the discourse on plastic pollution reduction strategies.