Visitors to Union County parks are encouraged to use sturdy tote bags or backpacks to carry picnic items and other gear, instead of relying on single-use plastic bags.
Single-use plastic bags easily become windblown and can entangle fish, birds, and other wildlife in local parks. They can also pollute soil when they degrade into micro-particles.
When blown into local waterways, plastic bags can travel to the ocean and create additional hazards for sea creatures.
Last year the New Jersey State Legislature passed a ban on single-use paper and plastic grocery bags that goes into effect in May of 2022. Union County residents can plan ahead by making the switch to reusable tote bags now. More details…
Visit Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center online at ucnj.org/trailside for a list of recommended environmental activities. Participants can start a nature journal, join a citizen-scientist campaign, share their backyard nature photographs with Trailside, and share their observations with other scientists around the country. Worksheets, weekly bird-themed activities, zoo cams and science experiments for preschoolers are included on the list. The Union County Falcon Cam continues to stream live from the peregrine falcon nest on the roof of the County Courthouse in midtown Elizabeth, at ucnj.org/falcon. For additional wildlife cams, podcasts, videos and more, visit the County’s falcon education partner, Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey.
Union County’s “Make One Change UC” campaign encourages residents to make simple, everyday choices that help reduce single-use plastic waste, in support of the statewide Choose to Reuse initiative. Learn more about single-use plastic bag recycling by watching a PBS News Hour video hosted by the Union County Bureau of Recycling and Planning at ucnj.org/recycling.
Residents can explore the Recycle Coach app, a free download that provides up-to-date news and information about recycling in every Union County community. Available for all mobile devices, Recycle Coach includes interactive animated videos and more.
The Freeholder Board also supports the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County as part of the statewide Rutgers Cooperative Extension network. The Extension is offering online programs for all ages including the popular 4-H clubs and “Earth Day Every Day” series. For more details visit ucnj.org.rce.
Did you know…?
The average plastic bag is used for only 12 minutes, but it can linger in the environment for decades and even centuries.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. consumes more than 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps every year.
Act locally, help globally:
Bring reusable bags to the grocery store instead of taking single-use plastic bags. Keep a tote or two by the door or stow them in your car, so you always have one handy.
Carry items from your kitchen to the recycling bin in a reusable bag, tub or basket instead of using a disposable bag.
Your local recycler will reject containers that are mixed with plastic bags. Find out why, by watching a video at ucnj.org/recycling.