By Henry Su
The plastic bags that have become a cultural symbol of convenience and of urban decay, that held our takeout and choked our waterways, are no more. On March 1st, 2020, a ban on plastic bags went into effect across New York State. Oregon and California have already banned single-use film plastic bags, with New York joining them as the third in the nation. The State Department of Environmental Conservation cites that over 23 billion plastic bags are used in New York each year, and the law aims to minimize the negative impact single-use bags have shown to make on the environment.
The ban is oriented towards businesses, as restrictions are placed squarely on individuals and organizations collecting sales tax. Recycling centers are still obligated to collect plastic bags for recycling, and municipalities can opt to levy a fee on paper bags, which are still legal for distribution. Additionally, among several exemptions from the ban are bags sold in bulk and garment bags. Most retailers are encouraging the usage of reusable bags which are often sold at a low price at the point of sale. Some disgruntled consumers have interpreted this as evidence of a larger “racket” in which, with Governor Cuomo’s help, big business has pulled the wool over the people’s eyes.
Locally, Wegmans Food Markets ended the use of plastic bags in their stores on January 27th, with the goal of preparing customers for the transition. Initially, reactions ranged from confusion to outright indignation as a significant portion of customers struggled to make the change. However, as the law went into effect, many Wegmans customers were ready to make the switch or had already done so out of necessity.
While the ban signals the disappearance of an intrinsic part of our daily lives, businesses are prepared to help New York consumers make the switch to a more environmentally-friendly option, pain-free.
