The days of single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam containers in Paramus may soon be coming to an end as the borough council considers an ordinance to ban them.

Paramus is the latest community to join a growing movement across the country aimed at reducing litter and plastic waste. The ordinance would prohibit businesses in the borough from distributing plastic bags at checkout and ban Styrofoam food containers. If passed it would apply to all business – including the ones located in the four malls located in Paramus.

“If you're looking at protecting the environment for future generations it's something you have to get used to, right?” says Paramus shopper Olga Smilon.

The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions released a statement praising the ordinance. “ANJEC is thrilled that Paramus is moving forward with an ordinance to reduce plastic bag use and pollution…given the substantial number of retailers in Paramus, this ordinance is likely to be the most impactful in the state in reducing plastic pollution.”

Details of the ban are still being worked out. The ban would go into effect Jan. 1, 2020 if the ordinance is passed.