FAIR HAVEN – Much of the discussion surrounding single-use plastics is focused on improving the quality of oceanic habitats. But an ordinance introduced by the borough’s governing body would help the ongoing maintenance efforts of the local river system.
Councilman John Peters said similar pieces of legislation in Monmouth Beach and Atlantic Highlands, and commercial initiatives in Sea Bright, have been associated with the Atlantic Ocean, but river health is also a public responsibility.
“The rivers are their own natural environments. As well as drainage areas that feed into our oceans, there are inland areas, marshes and wetlands that are linked to the rivers, which are key environmental areas. So many oceanic creatures spawn and reproduce in our rivers. It’s all linked and we have to do our part to protect them,” said Peters, who serves as the borough council liaison to the environmental commission.
Peters said the council is still tweaking the language of the ordinance, but expects it to be up for adoption in the near future.
The ordinance will limit single-use plastic bags, polystyrene foam containers – like Styrofoam takeout food cartons – and plastic straws, as well as incentivize those who opt for reusable bags.
It exempts bags used to package bulk items, like produce, or cold packaged foods like meat and fish. Plastics used to wrap flowers and plants, bakery goods and pharmacy prescriptions are also exempt from the proposed law, as are newspaper, dry cleaning and garbage bags and those used for animal and yard waste.
Like a similar ordinance adopted in April by Little Silver, Fair Haven business owners will have six months from the approval date to comply. Those who are unable to comply in that time frame can apply to the borough for an extension.
Any business or store found in violation of the prohibition may be subject to a penalty up to $500. The fine increases to $1,000 for a second offense and $2,500 for a third offense and each violation thereafter.
“Before introducing this, the environmental commission went around and spoke to the business community about what was coming and how it was structured. We’re trying to move carefully and maintain an awareness of the needs of the business community. We’re not about punishing people. I’m a believer in warnings and leniency. But we are trying to effect change,” Peters said.
Fair Haven is the second municipality located along the Navesink to introduce a single-use plastics prohibition in the last month, joining Red Bank.
Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli said the impact Fair Haven’s ordinance could have on the global plastics issue is “infinitesimal,” but the good it can do at home is invaluable.
“This is about raising public consciousness and awareness. We have to tap the breaks and look at what we’re doing to the environment in our borough and think about what we want to leave our children, and theirs. This won’t move the needle on a global or national sense, but this is a positive local action to take better care of our own community,” Lucarelli said.
Peters said he hopes the trend of municipal ordinances will place pressure on the state government to take action on a statewide single-use plastics prohibition the legislature has sat on for about a year.
“The problem with passing these types of laws at the local level is that you don’t want to do anything that will make your town less competitive or less economically viable for businesses. A law that comes down from the state level takes that pressure away. But when it comes to the environment, we view ourselves as a state leader. And we need to be proactive in this area,” Peters said.
