New Jersey is aiming to drastically reduce the amount of packaging material — particularly plastic — that is thrown away after the package is opened. A bill in the state Legislature would require all such materials used in the state to be recyclable or compostable by 2034. It had been scheduled for discussion, but was postponed until Jan. 6.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says containers and packaging materials from shopping account for about 28% of municipal waste sent to landfills in the U.S.
The New Jersey bill seeks to move away from plastics and imposes fees on manufacturers and distributors for a $120 million fund to bolster recycling and reduce solid waste.