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New York says goodbye to plastic bags

A statewide ban prohibiting the distribution of single-use plastic bags went into effect on Sunday.

A statewide ban prohibiting the distribution of single-use plastic bags went into effect on Sunday.

In an ambitious effort to reduce litter and waste, the state of New York has implemented a controversial ban on the distribution of single-use plastic bags—once a ubiquitous feature of grocery stores, shops and bodegas.
New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation has launched a campaign—#BYOBagNY—that seeks to encourage shoppers to bring their own bags, preferably reusable ones, with them when shopping.
New York becomes the third state to ban single-use plastic bags, following in the footsteps of California and Oregon. Hawaii is said to have a “de facto ban,” since all of its local governments prohibit plastic bags.
Officials say that New Yorkers use 23 billion plastic bags each year, contributing to a major global pollution problem.