#N12BK: Plastic bag ban

<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo has once again introduced legislation that would ban disposable plastic shopping bags.&nbsp;</p>

News 12 Staff

Apr 24, 2018, 4:50 PM

Updated 2,381 days ago

Share:

#N12BK: Plastic bag ban
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has once again introduced legislation that would ban disposable plastic shopping bags.
Cuomo announced the proposal Monday.
The proposal comes a year after Cuomo blocked a 5-cent charge on plastic bags in the city and ordered a task force look into the proposed ban.
The ban could cost retailers forced to use paper bags three to five times more, according to a report.
However, some items like fruit, vegetables and meat would be exempt from the ban.
California and Hawaii already ban the bags statewide, as do cities including Chicago, Austin and Seattle.
New Yorkers use an estimated 23 billion plastic bags each year.
An organization of plastic bag manufacturers opposes the proposal, and the leader of one environmental group says it wouldn't go far enough.
If passed, the ban would go into effect next January.