New York State’s Plastic Bag Ban Officially Goes Into Effect
Kicking off the new month, New York’s plastic bag ban has officially gone into effect! This means that the thin wispy plastic bags can no longer be handed out for free at New York’s groceries and other retailers. Instead, folks will now have to use paper bags which will cost shoppers five cents.
RELATED: California Bans Private Prisons And Immigrant Detention Centers
This move was made after it was estimated by the New York State Plastic Bag Task Force that New York residents use 23 billion plastic bags every year! It was also said that many times, those bags end up in waterways and landfills or littering trees, which could also harm wildlife.
However, the state will wait until April 1 to penalize stores that violate it. According to NBC New York, the state has planned to enforce the ban by issuing a warning to retailers who violate the law for the first time. Retailers could face a $250 fine for a subsequent violation and a $500 fine for violations in the same calendar year.
The news site notes that New York’s ban exempts bags used for restaurant takeout food, plastic bags used to wrap meat, and bags used for prepared food.
RELATED: School Bans Teen From Walking On Stage For Graduation Unless He Cuts His Dreadlocks