New York’s Plastic Bag Ban to Take Effect Monday

After months of litigation and delays, the New York State’s ban on single-use plastic bags will now be enforced beginning tomorrow, October 19.

By Anash.org reporter

After months of litigation and delays, the New York State’s ban on single-use plastic bags will now be enforced beginning tomorrow, October 19.

The ban was originally scheduled to take effect on March 1st, but was delayed multiple times because of litigation and the coronavirus pandemic.

A New York State judge declined to provide the injunctive relief requested by a group of grocers, bodegas and bag manufacturer Poly-Pak Industries in an Oct. 9 lawsuit. Allowing the ban to take effect.

This means you will now need to bring your own reusable bag to the grocery shop or pay a small fee per bag used. The law would prohibit essentially any bag made of plastic, whether nylon, polyester, or other plastics.

The government claims that the ban is necessary to limit waste and pollution brought about by the use of plastic bags. While plastic bag ban opponents point to the health risks posed by reusing plastic bags and its harmful effects on small businesses.