NYS BEGINS ENFORCING PLASTIC BAG BAN OCT. 19, 2020

On Monday, October 19, New York State will begin fully enforcing a ban against the distribution of plastic bags. The following statement in response can be attributed to Kate Kurera, Deputy Director of Environmental Advocates NY:

“New York’s bag ban has already improved New York’s health by cutting down on plastic pollution. We look forward to the State beginning enforcement and stores complying with this important law.”

Background:

Last year, a ban on the distribution of plastic bags in New York was signed into law, with a start date of March 1, 2020. A lawsuit by the plastic bag industry then held up the state’s enforcement of the bag ban. That lawsuit was rejected by the New York State Supreme Court, which issued a decision upholding the ban. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is set to begin enforcement of the plastic bag ban on Monday, October 19.

Plastic bags are currently wreaking havoc on our environment, waterways, wildlife, and costing recycling facilities upwards of $1 million dollars a year in damage to recycling equipment. It is estimated that New York uses 23 billion plastic bags annually.