Mamaroneck's Ban on Plastic Bags Goes Into Effect

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The ban on single-use plastic bags at retail shops and other businesses in the town of Mamaroneck is in effect from Dec 1, 2019. This follows earlier approval of the Mamaroneck Bag Waste Reduction Law by the Town Board. The New York State law banning plastic bags is set to take effect in March 1, 2020.

The retailers will have to charge 5 cents per bag on alternative paper bags given to customers. The law exempts some businesses and consumers from the ban. Restaurants are permitted to offer plastic bags for take-out food. Bags for packing fish, meat and produce, laundry bags and bags for prescription medication are exempted from the ban. The beneficiaries of the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are exempt from the fee.

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The town of Mamaroneck is estimated to consume around 23 billion plastic bags every single year.