Plastic Bags & Straws Banned in Atlantic County Parks

Single-use plastic bags and straws will no longer be allowed in Atlantic County parks, but enforcement will be through warnings for about a year, according to an ordinance passed Tuesday by freeholders.

The freeholders voted to ban all such items which pollute waterways and forests from the county's 7,000-acre park system.

Enforcement will be by county park rangers, according to the ordinance.

For about a year after the effective date, the county will issue warnings to those who bring banned items into the park, to give the public enough time to adjust. But after about a year, the county will issue penalties up to $500 per violation.

The ordinance defines single-use plastic bag as "any plastic bag that is provided to customers at point of sale for carryout purchases by a commercial establishment."

It does not include reusable bags or any carryout bags that are a maximum of 11 inches by 17 inches without handles to carry produce, bulk food, meat or seafood or to hold prescription medication from a pharmacy.

Single-use plastic straws are defined as those used only once before being thrown away or recycled, and include coffee stirrers.

https://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/breaking/warnings-to-be-issued-for-year-on-atlantic-county-parks/article_e8c7ec44-08f6-5cbb-bdb7-c9c46c6a082e.html