With an unpredictable and challenging year at a close, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed has continued to adapt in order to advance critical protections for the watershed. During a traditional Statehouse Education Day, organizations across New Jersey would typically make their way to Trenton to meet face-to-face with state senators and assembly members. However, due to Covid-19, Coalition member organizations connected with legislators for a highly successful and first-ever virtual New Jersey Statehouse Education Week.
Reflecting on Successful Advocacy: NJ’s Comprehensive Plastics Law
It’s official. New Jersey is now home to the strongest, most comprehensive single-use plastics bill in the nation. When May 2022 rolls around, stores and food service businesses are prohibited from providing single-use plastic bags to customers. Paper bags will be prohibited in stores over 2,500 square feet. Disposable food containers and cups made out of polystyrene foam will also be banned. Additionally, the law also restricts food-service businesses from providing plastic straws, unless requested by a customer, beginning in November 2021.
CDRW's New Policy Priority Nominating Process for 2021
It’s hard to believe we’re closing in on likely the most unprecedented year of our lifetimes. Although the pandemic posed several obstacles to our work, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed was still able to succeed on several fronts. From implementing watershed signage in two basin states to celebrating the enactment of the Great American Outdoors Act, together we remained adaptive and motivated.