New York Introduces Bill That Proposes State-Wide Ban on Plastic Bags

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Gov. Cuomo has introduced a legislative bill that proposes to ban use of most of the single-use plastic bags in the entire state starting next year. The introduction of the bill is further to the report submitted by the special task which studied the impact of plastic bags on New York’s environment.

The proposed legislation prohibits plastic carryout bags at point of sale to customers. However, some categories of plastic bags are exempted from the ban. The prohibition does not apply to plastic bags that are solely used to contain or wrap uncooked meat, fish or poultry. Plastic bags used to pack fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and candy are also excluded from ban. The other excluded categories include newspaper bags and garment bags.

Introducing the bill, Cuomo noted that the blight of plastic bags has already taken devastating toll on the state’s streets, water and natural resources. The proposed ban is part of action taken by the administration to protect its environment. The bill will help to create stronger, cleaner and greener New York, Cuomo said. Incidentally, nearly 10 municipalities in the state have imposed fees or ban on plastic bags.

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By reducing the number of plastic bags, New York City alone is estimated to save nearly $12.5 million in disposal costs. The City could also save additional dollars by eliminating cleanup activities to remove plastics from roadways, beaches and oceans. This could also result in savings of huge quantities of raw materials and natural resources used in manufacturing plastic bags.

Meantime, several environmental organizations including Citizens Campaign for the Environment have welcomed the proposed ban. The National Supermarkets Association and the Queens Chamber of Commerce too welcomed the move. On the other hand, the American Plastic Bag Alliance opposed the proposal, saying that there are hidden pitfalls in Cuomo’s legislation.