PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The new year is bringing at least one new law to Delaware.
In 2019, the Delaware General Assembly passed a ban on stores distributing single-use plastic bags, which essentially removes thin plastic bags from the state's environment.
Adam Schlachter with the Delaware Division of Waste and Hazardous Substance’s compliance and permitting section said those thin plastic bags are unable to be recycled and would even jam up recycling machines.
“They'll be replaced by reusable bags that will either be paper or plastic,” he explained.
He said the retail industry was in favor of the change.
“The feedback we've been getting is that they'll be able to comply with the law,” he said.
Schlachter added not all stores have to make the change as it will not impact most mom and pop stores.
“Basically, it's the larger retailers, those that are 7,000 square feet or larger,” he said.
The state is hoping that by the end of the year, they see a decrease in those bags on the side of the road and in waterways.