New York Banned Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are finally banned in the state of New York. This ban targets single-use carry-out plastic bags and will prevent 23 billion single use plastic bags from being used in NY each year.

In this episode, Sam explores the details behind this plastic bag ban and how best to use the available alternatives, paper bags and reusable tote bags. Because there's more to just using a reusable bag a few times...

This bag ban began as of October 19th, 2020.

For more of our work at Make A Change, visit:

[maggiecawthorn]

In 2015 most of the UK shops had to start charging for plastic bags and we were encouraged to move to plastic bags for life. This has apparently produced an 86% drop. Small retailers were excluded but next year the charge for bags will be doubled and small retailers included. It’s something but more could be done.

[Wheeets]

I just ordered 100 plastic bags here in NY. I'll be taking a few into the grocery store every week. The paper bags suck as much as the paper straws. Not all groceries offer paper bags with handles, anything heavy makes the bag rip or the hard edge of boxes tear the bags. Then there's all the uses for plastic bags afterwards (like picking up dog poop, or wrapping up a wet bathing suit). This ban sucks and I won't be inconvenienced any longer while every product on every shelf is wrapped in plastic.

[horsedrag]

An insignificant distraction to the real issue of marine micro-plastic.

[julialauren]

This is amazing!!! So excited to see the impact this has in the future.

[Dawn-tx]

i feel really bad for homeless people that relied on carrying plastic bags though...i don't know what they've been doing without them....

[dimarcuss]

Oh you are that guy that is living for free for a whole year, man the year is almost gone, what will you do after the year ends?

[kellybencheghib]

A great start for NYC! I hope it makes a difference

[zz]

December 2021 -- as a resident of Upstate New York, I STILL buy and use plastic shopping bags every day. I have several 1, 000 count cases on hand and will keep using them. My customers are just fine with them and many are happy to get them so they can re-use them again at home.

[Pugkin]

Yes, because banning plastic bags and replacing them with paper bags made of tree wood will help the environment. Helps so much more since they break so easily, too! Awesome

And cloth bags are awesome. Everyone totally has access to great ones. And they aren't a pain to store or clean or anything

And it isn't like plastic is already used in a bunch of places. Boo plastic *Sips soda in plastic bottle*