By COLlive staff
Working around the ban.
New York State’s new law prohibiting stores from providing plastic shopping bags to customers takes effect next week.
Starting March 1, 2020, all plastic carryout bags (other than an exempt bag) are banned from distribution by anyone required to collect New York State sales tax.
Cities and counties are authorized to adopt a five-cent paper carry-out bag reduction fee. This means that in these areas, a consumer will be charged 5 cents for each paper carryout bag provided at checkout.
COLlive.com, the community news service based in Crown Heights, will be distributing 2,000 reusable Tote Bags at select groceries and other stores around the neighborhood. They will be given free of charge on a first-come, first-serve basis, beginning next week.
The reusable shopping tote bag is made of 100gsm non-woven polypropylene and features a spacious interior with a huge 10″ gusset. A removable plastic insert fits snugly in the bottom of the shopping bag for added durability and support. The reinforced carrying handles measure 20″.
“The ban will definitely be a burden on store owners and residents in the community and we decided to step up to the plate and offer free bags in appreciation to our loyal readership,” says Mica Soffer, Publisher and Editor of COLlive.com which was founded in 2008.
While single-use plastic bags are banned, there are exceptions, such as plastic produce or meat bags, pre-packaged bags (such as Ziplocs or garbage bags), dry cleaning bags, restaurant carryout bags, or very thick plastic bags.
Paper bags will be the only disposable option and will be taxed at 5 cents apiece. (Stores can also offer cardboard boxes, but most charge for that option.) These fees won’t apply to recipients of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), low-income nutrition programs.
VIDEO: Ban Generating Frustration From Customers, Store Owners
That is helpful, supposedly though, cotton bags are worse for the environment since it uses more energy and water to produce cotton.
Does any one care about the middle class… we already pay an arm and leg for food while sadly many ppl just use food stamps not in an honest way as another income but now we need to pay for bags also … why should I tell my kids to go get a legit job? They see me suffer . We count out each dollar …
Where are these bags gonna be sold?
Thank you!
Not one of these people that made these laws have ever had to shlep there groceries before. Also, These bags are the greatest thing since sliced bread because, 1. When they say it’s ‘single use’ is a lie, every person reuses them either for bringing lunch to work, put your babies diaper in it, use it to put in a small garbage (like in the bathroom) meaning they aren’t just throwing them out after brining it home from the store. 2. Probably the most important. They are water proof. What’s going to happen when you have a 50+ old woman… Read more »
Canvas totes are washable
So now we have to spend more time and money, washing.
And how about all the soap going into the environment.
And that still doesn’t address the problem of those of us who don’t have cars and have to walk and take buses everywhere, and now have to carry these bags everywhere we go, just in case we happen to be by a store we can’t usually get to, and stop in, to save a special trip just to walk several blocks to the store.
Australia has just made this change and whilst it takes some getting used to, it’s a great change.
Can’t believe now how many of those plastic bags ended up in landfill or the ocean…and they’re so unnecessary.
You’ll find other ways to manage your dirty diapers and bathroom bins …
If you have to, you can get used to anything.
So you would have no problem if all of our rights and freedoms, were taken away, right?
Because after all, “We’d just get used to it” right?
is suburban,,, people usually get around by car.NY is mostly pedestrian.
you have to use the tote 173 times in order to be carbon-neutral keep using the plastic #fakenews
Is there a list of stores giving out these bags?