Coast & Ocean Legislation

We are asking Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Legislature to pass New Jersey bills A5009 and S3398  which are strong EPR for packaging bills. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging bills have become the new battleground in the fight to rid our bodies and the environment from the onslaught of plastic pollution. 

EPR for packaging bills attempt to comprehensively address many plastic items that have not been targeted yet, like yogurt cups, chip bags, bread bags, shipping packaging, and much more. A well crafted EPR bill can reduce the amount of toxic chemicals and packaging used, waste created—and increase recycling and reuse rates.

Surfrider’s two volunteer-led, New Jersey Chapters are determined to reduce plastic pollution in New Jersey by passing a statewide “Skip the Stuff” bill (S3195). 

This bill seeks to change the expectations of restaurant takeout and delivery food customers. Instead of expecting to receive extra items like utensils and condiments, under Skip the Stuff, customers will expect to not receive those items unless they specifically request them.

Live in New Jersey? Send a message to your elected officials supporting this bill!

Just when we thought we’d put it in the ground for good, the fracked gas pipeline known as the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement Project (NESE) is back—and it's as dangerous as ever.

Originally proposed by fossil fuel giant Williams Transco in 2017, the NESE pipeline was set to snake over 35 miles from New Jersey, beneath the NY/NJ Harbor, and connect to infrastructure just off Rockaway Beach in Queens. The project would bring fracked methane gas from Pennsylvania to downstate New York, stirring up toxic sediment, polluting our air and water, and dragging us backward on climate progress.

Take our New York or New Jersey Action Alerts today!

We appreciate that bills A5755 and S4677 seek to add additional financial transparency and "sunshine" to beach badge revenues and beach services in the State. We ask for additional language in the bills to make it clear that the State will act on this financial information, and that the information is publicly available. 

The Chapters, led by the South Jersey Chapter, are working to pass a statewide bill that would require construction sites to contain and remove plastic particles and dust that is made when cutting or drilling boards made of chemically treated lumber and composite plastic, such as brands like TREX, AZEK. There are currently no requirements to contain these pollutants, which quickly blow or drain into the local environment. 

Contractors would be required to use vacuum attachments on saws, cut and drill lumber in confined spaces, such as a tent or hood, use tarps to collect dust, and properly dispose of these debris. 

Surfrider’s volunteer-led Delaware Chapter is committed to reducing plastic pollution in Delaware by passing a statewide “Skip the Stuff” bill (HB111). 

This bill seeks to change the expectations of restaurant takeout and delivery food customers. Instead of expecting to receive extra items like utensils and condiments, under Skip the Stuff, customers will expect to not receive those items unless they specifically request them.

Surfrider Foundation is calling on Governor Moore and our Maryland State elected officials to pass the Beverage Container Recycling Refund and Litter Reduction Program Bill, commonly known as the “bottle bill”.

Bottle bills are proven policies to reduce litter, increase recycling rates, and increase the use of recycled materials--help us pass a bottle bill in Maryland.

Live in Maryland? Send a message to your elected officials supporting this bill!

Surfrider Foundation’s Washington DC Chapter is calling on Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC City Council to pass legislation creating a beverage container deposit system, commonly known as a “bottle bill”.

Bottle bills are proven policies to reduce litter, increase recycling rates, and increase the use of recycled materials--help us pass a bottle bill in Maryland.

Live in DC? Send a message to your elected officials supporting this bill!