On March 1, 2020, New York passed the Bag Waste Reduction Law that bans plastic bags in New York. The New York plastic bag ban will be just the second state to outlaw plastic bags along with California who banned the use of plastic bags in 2016.
The Department of Sanitation has estimated that 23 billion plastic bags are being used each year in New York alone. The excess amount of plastic bag usage leads to wide-scale pollution and can cause unnecessary hardship and even death of local wildlife.
The New York plastic bag ban will force most businesses to do away with plastic bags at their stores. Instead, shoppers will be encouraged to bring and use their own reusable bags. Most stores will also begin to sell reusable bags if you don’t already have one, as well as offer paper bags for a small fee of five cents.
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation defines a “reusable bag” as one that is hand or machine washable, holds at least 22 pounds for the duration of its lifespan, can be used a minimum of 125 times, and has at least one strap used for carrying.
At Perfect Hike, we’re thrilled to hear the news of this newly passed law. There is so much that we can do to improve our home, but this is a huge step in the right direction. To celebrate the New York plastic bag ban we’ll be giving away one of our new eco-friendly tote bags. These bags are made from 100% organic cotton and perfect for your groceries, books, and much more!
