September 13, 2022 / 6:58 PM / CBS New York
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- There's an unintended consequence of the single-use plastic bag ban in New Jersey: a glut of reusable bags.
Katiuska Tejada-Rivera got used to ordering groceries online during the pandemic, saying she finds it more cost effective and it also offers peace of mind by limiting exposure for her daughter Kaycy, a two-time cancer survivor.
As a result, she ended up with more than 100 reusable grocery bags. She's whittled it down to around 84 after generously giving some away to family.
"I look at the receipt and I was paying for these bags," Tejada-Rivera said.
She hopes legislators can do something to fix this unintended consequence of the single-use bag ban.
"I am 100% in favor," she said.
New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith sponsored the ban bill that went into effect in May .
READ MORE: Plastic bag ban begins at supermarkets in New Jersey, along with other restricted items
"The bill's five months old, been working wonderfully well, but there's a glitch," he told CBS2's Vanessa Murdock.
Smith sees three possible solutions:
Smith is leaning toward solution one and adds legislative change should be finalized by the end of the year.
READ MORE: New Jersey supermarket employees say some shoppers are stealing handheld baskets instead of buying reusable bags
What can you do in the meantime to cut down on too many totes? Bring them to your local food bank or food pantry.
At places like the Fulfill food bank of Ocean and Monmouth counties, the single-use bag ban goes into effect Nov. 4, and Triada Stampas, the food bank's CEO and president, says they're not quite ready.
She says pre-bagging became part of pandemic practice.
"Plastic bags have become part of the regular operation," she said.
They're still being used by many to deliver services, especially for 100% volunteer operations with no budget.
"A reusable bag will go to good use," Stampas said.
Vanessa Murdock joined the CBS 2 Weather Team in October 2011 as the weekend morning meteorologist and weekday reporter.
First published on September 13, 2022 / 6:58 PM
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©2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.