NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – New York State’s ban on single-use plastic bags takes effect Sunday.
Shoppers at the Stop and Shop in Long Island City were already facing two choices Sunday morning as they went to check out. They, like millions of other New Yorkers, have to either bring their own reusable bag from home or pay a nickel for a single paper bag.
“I don’t work. I live from my social security,” she said.
Joe, who brought his own reusable bags, said he’s all for the ban, which is designed to protect the environment by reducing the amount of plastic in landfills, parks and waterways.
“You often see those plastic bags blowing down the streets, and sometimes in the trees, which isn’t a good look,” he said.
Felix said there’s a learning curve.
“I guess it’s like everything else, you got to get used to it. But for a lot of people that travel somewhere, they’ve got to carry bags with them now,” he said.
The hashtag #PlasticBagBan was trending on Twitter Sunday, with New Yorkers expressing varying opinions on the new law.
New York officially prohibited stores from handing out most thin plastic bags starting Sunday, though the ban won’t be enforced until April 1 as the state fights a lawsuit. State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said Friday that the state agreed to delay enforcement as it fights the lawsuit in Albany County court, lodged by a manufacturer of plastic bags and by convenience store owners who call the ban unconstitutional.
An association of 6,000 convenience store owners statewide opposes the state’s efforts to allow stores to hand out only thick, reusable plastic bags that the industry says it can’t yet produce.
“We have consistently said since the beginning of our outreach campaign that we will focus on education rather than enforcement and today does not change that,” Seggos said.
The state has planned to enforce the ban by issuing a warning to retailers who violate the law for the first time. Retailers could eventually face a $250 fine for a subsequent violation, and a $500 fine for violations in the same calendar year.
New York’s ban has also drawn criticism from environmental groups who don’t want New York to allow any plastic bags at all.
The law passed last April bars many types of businesses from using the thin plastic bags that have been clogging up landfills, getting tangled in trees and accumulating in lakes and seas. Single-use paper bags will still be allowed, but counties have the option of imposing a 5-cent fee.
New York’s ban exempts bags used for restaurant takeout food, plastic bags used to wrap meat, and bags used for prepared food.
State environmental officials are encouraging New Yorkers to start using reusable bags often made out of canvas or polyester. The state said it has purchased over a quarter-million reusable bags to give out to food pantries and shelters.
WHAT TO KNOW:
Background
The state uses over 23 billion plastic bags each year, and supporters of the plastic bag ban hope to reduce the number of bags in neighborhoods and waterways. The ban goes into effect March 1, 2020.
A law banning single-use plastic bags, which was passed last March, is controversial. Many say they hold onto their plastic bags to use for trash or other home uses, like carrying their lunches.
The ban applies to the ubiquitous plastic bags found at supermarkets and other stores. Officials warn that many of the bags end up harming wildlife and the environment.
Penalties
All stores that collect sales tax have to follow the law. Stores could face fines if they continue to hand out plastic bags. It’s $250 for the first offense and $500 for each offense thereafter.
Exemptions
Some bags are exempt from the law, including bags for uncooked meat and produce. Prescription drug bags and restaurant carryout bags are also exempt, as are bags for laundry, such as dry-cleaning bags. Trash bags and other bags sold in bulk are also exempt.
Alternatives
Most stores will stop handing out plastic bags, but some will still have paper bags—at a price. Cities and counties can choose to allow paper bags for a 5-cent fee; 3 cents go to the Environmental Protection Fund, while 2 cents go towards a campaign encouraging reusable bags.
State officials are urging residents to ditch plastic and paper bags altogether and instead buy reusable bags. Find more info about reusable bags here.
You can find out more about the law on the state website. There is also info on the 311 website, as well as on the Sanitation Department website. And here's the full text of the law.