OPINIONAs someone who spent nearly 30 years at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), I learned time and time again that environmental policy is a science, not an art. That’s why, as state lawmakers look to reform and strengthen our recycling system, a legislative proposal to conduct a statewide recycling needs assessment (A.4902/S.3815) is exactly the kind of smart, Jersey-first approach we need. Maryland, for example, launched a similar statewide recycling needs assessment before crafting its EPR legislation this year. The statewide recycling needs assessment puts us on the right path. I urge all state lawmakers to support the recycling needs assessment bill and get this done the right way.

Source: The Times June 17, 2025 07:52 UTC