Source: Common Dreams Org
This week, New York State officials voted to ban most single-use plastic bags in the state, making it the third state to implement the legislation, after California and Hawaii.
Beginning next year, March 2020, stores and retailers will not be allowed to use single-use plastic bags for merchandise for customers. The ban does not apply for “restaurant carryout orders, those used to package things like raw meat or produce, or provided by pharmacies to carry prescription drugs,” according to Bloomberg’s initial report.
Customers will be able to access paper bags if their city agrees to a five cent fee per paper bag to help support local programs for reusable bags and program of the Environmental Protection Fund.
“Two years, and about 20 billion plastic bags later, we are happy that the state legislature and the governor are finally taking action,” said New York City Council Members, as reported by Common Dreams Org.
Still, there is work to be done, say officials, since paper bags come with their own set of problems for the environment and might ultimately still be available in many cities.
Read Full Story: Common Dreams Org