Local petition inspires reusable bag campaign

Dec. 12—While University Dining Services at Rutgers, in New Brunswick, N.J., gave students an alternative to plastic takeout bags, New Jersey Public Interest Research Group is trying to spread the use of reusable bags further for businesses in New Brunswick and Highland Park next semester.

NJPIRG’s “Ban the Bag,” a campaign to reduce the usage of plastic bags in New Brunswick and Highland Park, collected about 5,000 petitions last semester to end the use of plastic bags on campus, said Alexandra Schneeberg, an NJPIRG intern.

The petition prompted Dining Services to offer free black canvas bags at the beginning of the semester, which later changed to a $1 fee for purchase for those interested.