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Bill

S 1927

Exempts certain compostable items from ban on single-use plastic carryout products.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Latham Tiver

S 1927 exempts certain compostable items from New Jersey's single-use plastic carryout bag ban, potentially narrowing the state's plastic waste reduction efforts.

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Environment and Energy Committee
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Bill Summary · S 1927

Legislative bill overview

S 1927 creates exemptions to New Jersey's existing ban on single-use plastic carryout bags, allowing certain compostable items to be excluded from the prohibition. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and is currently under review by the Senate Environment and Energy Committee. This represents a narrowing of the scope of the state's plastic bag restrictions.

Why is this important

New Jersey's single-use plastic ban is part of broader environmental policy aimed at reducing plastic waste in landfills and waterways. Any exemptions directly affect how comprehensively the ban functions and what materials can still be distributed to consumers. This impacts retailers, manufacturers of alternatives, environmental goals, and consumer access to different bag types.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "compostable": Determining which items qualify as genuinely compostable versus greenwashing could be contentious, as compostability standards vary and many compostable plastics require industrial facilities not widely available
  • Undermining environmental goals: Exemptions may weaken the original ban's effectiveness in reducing plastic waste, particularly if compostable items still end up in landfills where they don't decompose
  • Industry pressure: The bill may reflect lobbying by manufacturers unable to fully comply with the ban, raising questions about whether environmental policy is being revised based on regulatory burden rather than scientific evidence

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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