Plastic bags, a constant nuisance are all to commonly found on the beaches.
What started in Downbeach towns has spread to other Atlantic County municipalities and across the state with the latest action taken to protect marine environment.
Last week, Hammonton became the 10th Atlantic County municipality to ban the release of lighter than air balloons.
The effort to ban balloon releases started in Margate several years ago and caught on in other municipalities through the efforts of local green teams who are members of the Sustainable Jersey movement.
Atlantic County government has also banned the release of balloons filled with helium at all county parks.
Atlantic county communities with balloon release bans include Atlantic City, Brigantine, Egg Harbor City, Galloway Township, Longport, Margate, Northfield, Somers Point and Ventnor.
BalloonsBlow.org
Releasing balloons into the atmosphere may seem like a pleasant way to celebrate a special occasion or remember a loved one, but what goes up must come down. Balloons caught in the prevailing winds float east to the ocean where they burst and fall into the sea. Marine life mistake them for jellyfish, ingest them and die.
On Dec. 16, Hammonton passed a balloon release ban ordinance with a vote of 6-1.
That now makes 28 towns in New Jersey that say you can't litter the sky, Sustainable Margate Chairman Steve Jasiecki said in a statement.
Momentum for getting plastics under control is building and I'm pleased to say that we are not only a part of it but have been leaders in getting this started, Jasiecki said.
Although Margate has yet to tackle another plastics issue, Longport became the first municipality in the state to impose a fee on the distribution of single use plastic bags. Although it was a largely symbolic move because Longport only has three commercial establishments a real estate office and two restaurants the borough received accolades in the media and has grown to include bans on the distribution of plastic film bags in 21 municipalities across the state. Ventnor banned plastic bags in October 2018 and the New Jersey Legislature is considering a comprehensive statewide ban.
If it weren't for towns passing their own laws, the state would not be as far along as it is today, Jasiecki said. There are now well over 100 ordinances concerning plastics passed in New Jersey municipalities. This includes 49 towns with bag ordinances and more towns have them on their dockets.
Patcong Creek Foundation/The plastic bag fee went into effect recently in Somers Point. Reusable bags are becoming the norm, according to a study.
Having to comply with different rules in various locations causes difficulties for supermarkets, chain stores and restaurants.
Bag Ordinances
A plastic bag ban bill (S-2776) was recently reviewed by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee and released. The bill, co-sponsored by Senators Bob Smith and Linda Greenstein, prohibits carryout bags made of plastic film, polystyrene foam containers, plastic straws and paper bags.
Jeff Tittel of the NJ Sierra Club called the bill a win-win-win for the environment, economy and in the battle against plastic pollution.
If the legislation is signed by Gov. Phil Murphy, New Jersey would join California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont in banning plastic bags.
New Jersey is becoming a national leader going after plastics and protecting our environment, he said.
The bill is the first in the nation that would ban paper bags along with plastic.
By reducing how much plastic we use, we can also reduce fracking and fossil fuel use, Tittel said. We cannot wait any longer. Our legislature needs to move quickly before our plastic waste problem gets worse. This bill needs to pass both houses and get to the governor's desk by the end of the year.
If the bill passes and is signed by the governor, it will supersede municipal ordinances.
