CTFA Opposes New Jersey Packaging Bill

Pending New Jersey legislation would require “every rigid plastic container manufactured, sold or offered for sale in this State by a personal care product container manufacturer; or designed and used to store a personal care product that is sold or offered for sale in this State by a product manufacturer, shall have at least 10% recycled content by January 1, 2007.”

This is a new state-specific requirement that would provide state penalties for non-compliance. 

CTFA has expressed its opposition to the latest version of Senate Bill 556 which is sponsored by Senator Bob Smith (D-Piscataway), Chairman of the New Jersey Senate Environment Committee. Senator Smith has introduced several plastic container recycling bills this year. The latest version of Senate Bill 556, the Plastic Container Recycling Enhancement Act, would add new state specific recycled content requirements on personal care product packaging. 

Senate Bill 556 recently failed to receive enough votes to be released from the Senate Environment Committee. However, the sponsor, Senator Smith, has proposed that he will bring this bill back at the next committee meeting, tentatively scheduled for March 6th. 

Companies are encouraged to write a letter of opposition and e-mail it to members of the Senate Environment Committee before March 3rd. Names and e-mail addresses are included on the attached sample letter. Include “Opposition to SB 556” in the subject line of your e-mail. More info: Mike Thompson at CTFA, 202-331-1770.