To the Editor:

It’s decision time for Princeton: Will we continue in the forefront of sustainability efforts throughout New Jersey, as we do now? A plastic bag ordinance will come before council soon, and I urge the members to pass it.

In the November 4, 2014 election, Princeton overwhelmingly voted yea on a nonbinding referendum to ban the plastic bags distributed routinely by stores. This meant that we supported the idea and resolved to greatly reduce our use of plastic shopping bags. It was a bold, progressive decision; the only issue was that it had no teeth to it. Although many Princetonians have switched to reusable shopping bags, the majority still expect plastic bags for their purchases, and vendors are happy to oblige.

Now herein comes our opportunity: Many among us are concerned about the decay of our environment, but the problem is so overwhelming that we feel powerless to change it. Plastic bags, distributed ubiquitously with almost every purchase in the United States, end up polluting the land. There they leach toxic chemicals, which end up in our bloodstream, for up to 1000 years. They pollute the oceans, killing sea animals and washing ashore our beaches. This is something we can do something about. At the estimated rate of 500 plastic bags per person, a town of our size could spare the environment about 14,500,000 bags annually, and many more towns would follow suit.

Our new plastic bag ordinance, developed by Bainy Suri, environmental consultant to the Environmental Education Fund and New Jersey Environmental Lobby, among other organizations, will mandate that all stores in town charge 10 cents per plastic bag distributed. Research has shown that it is only with some sort of consequence attached that people will change their habits (in most cases up to 98 percent comply). Thus the likelihood of success of the ordinance is extremely high.

We all proclaim that Princeton is a unique place, a progressive and charming, clean town where many people visit, and many people want to live. Let us continue that legacy by leading the way in sustainability and putting this ordinance in place.

Suzanne Neilson

McComb Road