New York statewide plastic bag ban begins this Sunday — but actual enforcement won’t start for a month, officials said Friday.
State authorities agreed Thursday to delay penalizing stores violating New York’s ban of single-use plastic bags until April 1 after grocers filed a last-minute lawsuit to try and block the law.
Officials announced the deal after a closed-door preliminary Supreme Court hearing in Albany.
“We have consistently said since the beginning of our outreach campaign that we will focus on education rather than enforcement and today does not change that,” said a spokeswoman at the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, adding it was “pleased” that a temporary restraining order wasn’t issued.
Mayor de Blasio, meanwhile, was down in Union Square Friday boosting the policy while city staffers dished out 2,000 reusable tote bags to passers-by.
“We only have one chance to save our planet,” de Blasio said. “Reducing the use of plastic bags will help us create a more sustainable city. New Yorkers: Don’t forget to bring your reusable bag to shop starting on March 1, and if you need a bag, we’ve got you.”
Here’s what New Yorkers need to know about the ban:
What’s going on?
A new law passed by state lawmakers Albany last March bans plastic bags at most stores and allows retailers to charge a 5-cent fee for each paper bag. The policy takes effect March 1, but the state will wait a month before dishing out fines.
Why?
The legislation aims to reduce litter and help protect wildlife in the Empire State, where more than 23 billion plastic bags are used a year, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.
Which stores will be affected?
All shops that collect sales tax, including grocery stores, bodegas and retailers across Empire State.
Once enforcement begins in April, stores caught in violation of the ban will first be issued a verbal warning. The penalty for a second violation is $250 and the penalty for a third or subsequent violation is $500.
What isn’t affected?
Plastic bags can still be doled out for uncooked meat, bulk items, takeout at restaurants and prescription drugs.
What can shoppers do instead?
Bring your own reusable bag made from cotton, recycled polypropylene or other materials. You can also buy one at some stores, or pay the extra 5-cent fee for a paper sack. That’s if one is available — retailers are predicting a shortage when the ban hits.
Where does the 5 cents go?
Two cents is given to local government and 3 cents goes to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund.