[Westside Market on 3rd Avenue]
As you probably know, the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags used at grocery stores, delis and other retailers (anyone required to collect New York State sales tax) went into effect overnight.
So you'll need to bring your own bag(s) to transport your purchases (if you didn't do so already) ... places such as Union Market on Houston at Avenue A will credit you 10 cents per bag...
Unfortunately, this Bag Waste Reduction Law means that we will no longer will have the Key Food holiday plastic bags to look forward to. But, for 99 cents, you may buy this sturdier plastic Key Food bag to carry your groceries...
Retailers are expected to have a stash of paper bags for use — for an additional 5-cent fee.
What else? Here's some details courtesy of the Times:
The ban will not be aggressively enforced right away, but merchants could eventually face penalties — $250 for a first violation and $500 for a repeat.
The exceptions
Stores can give out single-use plastic bags for certain items, including uncooked meat, sliced or prepared food and prescription drugs. Restaurants can provide the bags for takeout. Newspaper bags, garment bags and bags sold in bulk, such as trash or recycling bags, are also exempt from the ban.
Where the fees from paper bags go
Local governments that require a paper bag fee will keep 2 cents per bag to spend on programs aimed at distributing reusable bags. The remaining 3 cents will go to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.
Gothamist has a nice primer here. For A LOT more details, visit the NYS Department of Environemental Conservation website.
In recent days, the Department of Sanitation passed out free reusable bags ... with Mayor de Blasio helping out this past Friday at Union Square...
[Photo by Derek Berg]
"This is another step to saving our Earth, saving our city," de Blasio said.
