Years after the state put a single use plastic bag ban in place.

There are still conflicting studies on just how much it's helping the environment.

New research finds the ban did significantly cut down on residents use of those plastics, while also increasing the use of reusable plastic bags.

That could be just as bad, if not worse.

As Ted Goldberg reports, advocates agree there is some truth to the argument.

But the data was commissioned by a group in the plastic bag industry.

Nearly two years after New Jersey banned single use plastic bags in grocery stores.

People still don't agree if it was a good idea.

Results have been phenomenal.

They have contributed to more plastic being consumed and higher greenhouse gas emissions.

A recent study done by the Freedonia group found that New Jersey has almost tripled its use of plastic since the ban came into effect.

While the study was commissioned by an association representing manufacturers for plastic bags, Senator Bob Smith doesn't dispute that data.

It's a very small growing pain, one that we can easily remedy if if there's a feeling that we need to remedy it.

If, on the other hand, it's the latter point that we shouldn't be doing, we shouldn't be banning single use plastic bags that I would fiercely disagree with.

Senator Smith sponsored the legislation, keeping single use plastic out of checkout lines.

If anything, he says, New Jersey should go further in getting rid of plastic.

We have to push the high ropes more, get more and more plastics out of the environment.

If we would take you to the nearest hospital and had your blood tested.

What do you think's you in your blood?

I say particle.

All right.

So I have a feeling that in a decade or so, plastics are going to be viewed just like tobacco.

Until then, some people are left stockpiling reusable plastic bags.

We saw it coming.

In fact, we actually told the authors of the bill years ago that this is exactly what was going to happen.

Matt Seaholm leads the Plastics Industry Association.

He says the issue with single use plastic bags is people not reusing them enough and littering.

But he also thinks banning them outright leads to other problems.

This is why these types of policies are just the wrong way to approach sustainability and we try to advocate for that any way we can.

Not everybody is taking that study at face value.

Over time, you know, we're not going to be buying as many reusable bags because they're going to be reused over and over again.

Cindy Zipf is the executive director for Clean Ocean Action and has a bone to pick with how the study measured plastic consumption.

You're then using that bag for 100 up to 125 times, according to the New Jersey DEP.

Each one of those bags, by definition to be a reusable bags, should be reusable, reusable for about 125 times, not the 2 to 3 that is assumed in the study.

And she says beaches have seen far fewer plastic bags from Perth Amboy down to Cape May.

We are seeing remarkable success and progress.

Our data from Beach sweeps 2020 to the annual report found that single use plastic bags were reduced by over 37%.

Senator Smith says there could be more legislation banning single use plastic this year.

He singled out food delivery as a possible target, setting up another battle between industry and environmentalism.

For NJ Spotlight News, I'm Ted Goldberg.