148-18 Supporting Assembly Bill 1218 Seeking to Reduce the Use of Plastic Bags.pdf

148-18 June 12, 2018 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the average American throws away about 10 single-use plastic bags per week and Americans use 380 billion plastic bags per year; and WHEREAS, about 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in the ocean each year; and WHEREAS, production of plastic bags requires approximately 12 million barrels of oil per year and generates 400 million tons of carbon dioxide per year; and WHEREAS, the Township of West Orange is dedicated to supporting efforts to protecting the environment and reducing the amount of waste harming the environment; and WHEREAS, Assembly Bill No. 1218 (the “Bill”) is currently pending before the New Jersey State Assembly; and WHEREAS, the Bill seeks to compel the reduction of single-use plastic bags by 50% in retail businesses and to ultimately prohibit to use of single-use plastic bags in retail businesses; and WHEREAS, the Township seeks to support the passage and adoption of the Bill into law. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWNSHIP COUNCIL OF THE TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE, that the Township hereby urges the New Jersey State Assembly to pass and adopt the Bill; and be it further RESOLVED, the Township Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to New Jersey State Senator and former Governor Richard Codey, New Jersey State Assemblywoman Mila Jasey, New Jersey State Assemblyman John F. McKeon, and be it further RESOLVED, the Township Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to Governor Phil Murphy; New Jersey State Senate Stephen M. Sweeney; and the Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly Craig Coughlin; and be it further

2 RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution shall be made available in the Clerk’s office in accordance with applicable law. ________________________________ Karen J. Carnevale, R.M.C. Susan McCartney Township Clerk Council President Adopted: June 12, 2018 4819-1316-1574, v. 1