LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – A dedicated force, Noemi de la Puente, has networked with many individuals and groups in New Jersey and has eventually earned the attention of those who participated in Senate bill S-812.
Sustainable Lawrence follow-up story from Michelle Dryden on Vimeo.
De la Puente is a member of Sustainable Lawrence, where she started the initiative of trying to impose a .20 cents fee on single-use disposable shopping bags in summer of 2012. She even thinks that beyond a fee, we should ban these bags.
De la Puente has become influential in her efforts and is also using the movie, “Bag It,” to help educate viewers about her cause. Last year she said, “I [do not see] a lot of support on the state level for the mandatory fee on the disposable shopping bag.”
However, because of her networking, last December she was able to participate in a hearing on Senate bill S-812, which is known as the “Reduce Plastic and Paper Bag Usage Act,’’ sponsored by Sen. Bob Smith, district 17 (Middlesex and Somerset counties of New Jersey).
During one of her networking sessions with surf riders at the Jersey Shore, de la Puente learned about the bill, and was very happy to participate and bring attention to her initiative at Sustainable Lawrence.
Members of Sustainable Lawrence and other friends of Noemi de la Puente gathered at her home Saturday to see the movie, “Bag It,” which supports eliminating or reducing the use of disposable shopping bags. From left to right are: Thairih Smith, president or director on the Board of Sustainable Lawrence; Ron Cohen; Patty Schorr; Noemi de la Puente; Ashley Pillsbury; Trish Verbeyst; and Don Pillsbury
The hearing for the bill was successful and it is now out of committee and Sustainable Lawrence now has a petition online for signatures to get the bill to the next level where consumers will reduce the waste and usage of single use disposable shopping bags.
Tahirih Smith, president on the board of Sustainable Lawrence, said that their efforts are to expand their reach about the issue. “At the same time with Sustainable Lawrence, we are expanding our liaison and our collaboration with other communities.” She added, “We are expanding to the greater Mercer County.”
Yesterday, the members of Sustainable Lawrence met for a showing of the movie, “Bag It,” where they invited their friends to watch it and tried to get additional signatures for their online petition.
De la Puente and Smith said that they want to meet with State representatives and senators to discuss the bags issues as soon as they have thousands of signatures to validate their cause.
Their mission, according to Smith, “ is to reduce the amount of waste and consumption that comes into our homes.” Last year, they also expressed that they are concerned about the effects of bags’ pollution on the environment.