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New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and other Democrats who control the Legislature have reached an agreement to make New York the third state to ban single-use plastic grocery bags.
The ban would prohibit grocery stores from providing plastic bags for most purchases – something California That's been since 2016. Hawaii has implemented an effective state-wide ban, with all of its counties imposing their own restrictions.
Proponents say such bans prevent plastic bags from entering the environment and damaging ecosystems and streams.
"With this smart and multi-pronged action, New York will pave the way for the protection of our natural resources for New York's future generations," said Cuomo, who proposed a ban in his $ 175 billion budget proposal. , said Friday in a statement.
The ban in New York will only come into effect in March. The plan also plans to allow local governments to charge 5 cents on paper bags, of which 3 cents will be donated to the state's Environmental Protection Fund and 2 cents kept by local governments.
Patrick McClellan, political director of the League of Conservation Voters of New York, said his group was "delighted" that the ban on the bag seems about to pass.
"Plastic bags pollute our waterways and our streets, and plastic and paper bags contribute to the solid waste crisis and cost taxpayers money," he said. "Although the best policy would be a ban on plastic bags associated with a state-wide royalty on other disposable bags, this deal represents a significant advance."
CBS New York reports that the ban will have what are known as "carve outs". People can still buy plastic, food bags, dry cleaning in plastic bags and put fruits and vegetables in plastic bags at the supermarket.
Louise Sharakan, a resident of Midtown Manhattan, is satisfied with the idea of the ban. "I can not wait to be there," she said, according to CBS New York. "I've been waiting for a long time, I'm tired of having to recycle them."
Another said, "I hate him."
"I use them all the time, in my apartment, believe it or not," said Glen Wiehl, a downtown resident. "I do not have space for garbage, I hang them on the door and use them for garbage."
Legislators are facing a deadline set for Monday for a budget agreement.
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