The single-use plastic bag regulation in the State of New York is a reality. The state lawmakers agreed to impose a statewide ban on most types of single-use plastic bags from retail sales in an effort to reduce the alarming levels of litter. The regulation will allow counties to apply a $.05 fee on paper bags, revenue that would go to the state's Environmental Protection Fund as well as a separate fund to buy reusable bags for consumers. This is an important moment because it represents the second statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, after California in 2016. However, the ban, which would begin March 2020, has room for improvement to cause a positive impact in the environment.
We strongly support the idea that the ban should be applied with the imposition of a fee no less than $.10 and no higher than $.25 for paper bags. According to the New York State Plastic Bag Task Force, fees should be higher than $.10 in order to persuade consumers to use reusable bags. The money shall be used to help small retailers cover the cost of providing paper bags, to help localities with the education and cleanup of plastic pollution, and in the distribution of free reusable bags to low and fixed income citizens.
We would ask that New York State implement the single-use plastic bag ban and paper bag fee simultaneously because this represents a sustainable solution with long-term economic, environmental and societal repercussions.
It's time for New York to get Plas-Ticked Off. Sign this petition to let our representatives know!
