Bill
ACR 114
Urges DEP and EDA to research and create a plastics recycling marketplace in New Jersey to boost reuse of single‑use plastics and reduce environmental pollution.
Status
- Type: Assembly Concurrent Resolution (nonbinding). Fiscal Committee: No.
- Key procedural steps (from provided record): Introduced in the Assembly 02/12/2024; passed the Assembly 12/19/2024 (71–2–0); received in the Senate and referred to the Senate Environment and Energy Committee 01/14/2025. Later entries in the record show further action (ordered to engrossing/enrolling and final filing as Res. Chapter 196, Statutes of 2025 on 09/23/2025).
Purpose / Intent
- To urge New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) to take coordinated steps to develop a “plastics recycling marketplace” that increases recycling of single‑use plastics and reduces the volume entering the natural environment.
Key provisions / What the resolution asks
- Urges the DEP to use monies from the State Recycling Fund (established under P.L.1981, c.278 (C.13:1E‑96)) to conduct research necessary to develop a plastics recycling marketplace in the State. The research is intended to identify technologies and approaches to reuse or transform single‑use plastics and to support development of market outlets for recycled plastics.
- Urges the EDA to take steps to encourage and provide funding (as appropriate) to establish the plastics recycling marketplace, including incentives or other financial support for infrastructure or market development.
- Requests that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the DEP Commissioner, and the CEO of the EDA.
Definitions and supporting findings cited
- Defines “single‑use plastics” broadly to include bottles, cups, lids, bags, plates, utensils, straws, food containers, plastic film wraps, and similar packaging.
- Notes national and state recycling context: cites U.S. consumption figures (e.g., ~50 billion water bottles/year; ~100 billion plastic bags/year; ~25 billion disposable coffee cups/year) and an estimated New Jersey post‑consumer plastics recycling rate reported at 6–9% (with some estimates up to ~13%).
- Describes environmental and public‑health risks from mismanaged plastics (drainage blockages, toxic emissions if burned, persistence in land and waterways, formation of microplastics and potential entry into food chains).
Who would be affected
- State agencies (DEP and EDA) — asked to conduct research and incentivize market development.
- Recycling industry, technology developers, and potential investors — could benefit from research-driven market signals and funding incentives.
- Local governments, waste management entities, and the public — potential long‑term benefits from higher recycling rates and reduced environmental plastic pollution.
- Note: as a concurrent resolution, ACR 114 itself does not create regulatory obligations or appropriate funds; it expresses the Legislature’s policy preference and provides direction/encouragement to agencies.
Potential impact and limits
- If agencies act on the resolution, potential outcomes include increased investment in recycling technologies, improved market demand for recycled plastics, greater diversion of single‑use plastics from landfills and waterways, and reduced environmental/marine pollution.
- Because the resolution is nonbinding and does not itself appropriate funds, its effect depends on subsequent agency actions, available funding, and any statutory or budgetary follow‑up by the Legislature or EDA.
For further tracking
- Monitor DEP and EDA responses, any formal research plans funded from the State Recycling Fund, subsequent budget items or grant programs created by EDA, and any enabling legislation or regulatory changes that implement marketplace development.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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