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On the heels of introducing a ban on the intentional release of balloons, the Asbury Park City Council will vote Wednesday to place a five cent charge on single use plastic bags at all stores and vendors operating within city limits.

The measure comes weeks after Gov. Phil Murphy vetoed similar statewide legislation.

“While well-intentioned, the approach reflected in this bill strikes me as incomplete and insufficient,” Murphy wrote in the statement attached to his veto. “Instituting a five-cent fee on single-use bags that only applies to certain retailers does not go far enough to address the problems created by overreliance on plastic bags and other single-use carryout bags.”

Locally, the five cent fee will remain with the business; it does not go to the City, Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said.

The two restrictions are part of the City’s ongoing sustainability initiatives aimed at protecting its beaches.  

Quinn said plastic bags always end up on Clean Ocean Action Beach Sweeps ‘Dirty Dozen’ collected debris list.

“The City was thrilled to work with Jersey Shore Surfrider and the Asbury Park Business Committee on ways to curb debris on our beaches,” Deputy Mayor Amy Quinn said. “In that effort, we will be introducing a 5 cent fee on plastic bags in Asbury Park with some exceptions.”

Exempt from the bag fee are those without handles used for produce, meats, dry goods, dry cleaning, or other non-prepackaged food items; those provided by a pharmacy to carry prescription drugs; and those associated with public assistance purchases.

Quinn said the governing body is open to feedback and will be formulating a Frequently Asked Questions educational tool for both measures, should they pass.

The City Council will vote on introducing the plastic bag fee during its 7 pm regular meeting in Council Chambers at 1 Municipal Plaza.

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