ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — New Jersey banned the use of plastic bags to help protect the environment almost two years ago .
But is it helping or hurting?
CBS New York breaks down a new report that has shocking new numbers.
Nicole Brown of Bergenfield recently went on what she calls an average trip to the Englewood Shop Rite, buying groceries and using six new reuseable plastic bags to carry them.
“You have to buy them, most of the time,” Brown said.
Even though, she admits, she has about 30 bags just sitting at home.
“It’s annoying. I am sick of them. I have a house full of bags,” Brown said.
FLASHBACK : New Jersey’s single-use plastic bag ban leads to glut of reusable bags for some shoppers
Forgetting to bring them is to blame, and she’s far from alone in that regard.
“I have a bunch, like too many,” said Laura Aponte of Dumont.
“Probably like 50 or more,” said Kim Grevler of Englewood. “We need to have a system where we can bring them back and like a pick a penny, take a penny. Like, you leave bags and shoppers can take them.”