BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's been a week since New York State's plastic bag ban took effect and some shoppers are still adjusting to the new routine.
"My biggest problem is I get home, unpack everything, put the bags aside, then I go shopping and forget the bags," one man at a Hamburg grocery store said. "I get here and get into the store and realize I forgot the bags and I buy these (thicker bags) instead. I guess it's going to take me a little while."
Albany lawmakers passed the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags last year but the law did not take effect until March 1. The state argued that the ban will have a positive impact on the environment because 23 billion plastic bags are used each year and are often can be seen stuck in trees, floating in waterways, and as litter in neighborhoods.
READ MORE ABOUT THE BAG WASTE REDUCTION LAW FROM THE NYS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
Most stores sell some type of reusable bag made of cloth. There are some exemptions under the law such as a bag used by a pharmacy to carry prescription drugs and produce bags for bulk items. Tops found a workaround to the ban by selling thicker plastic bags that say it can be reused up to 125 times. Those plastic bags cost ten cents for two.
New York State will enforce the plastic bag ban beginning on April.
For some shoppers one of the main criticisms of the plastic bag ban is the argument over its characterization as "single-use". Many people use plastic bags to line garbage cans, clean cat litter, and for other purposes.
"I did use the plastic bags as liners for my garbage cans and other things so now I'm going to have to buy plastic bags," a woman told WBEN. "In a way, I don't see where it's saving."
Others said they don't know what the big deal is about the ban.