New York: plastic bag ban takes effect to address ‘environmental blights’

Every year, New York state gets through a staggering 23bn plastic bags – the vast majority of which end up in landfill or polluting streets, green spaces and waterways. But it is hoped the single-use carriers will become a relic, now a long-awaited state-wide ban on single use plastic bags has come into force. The new law means most businesses will no longer be allowed to provide or sell plastic bags. However, it will not completely outlaw plastic bags. Notable exceptions include takeaway and delivery food, prescription drugs, rubbish bags, uncooked meat and fish and some non-film plastic “reusable” bags. Governor Andrew Cuomo hailed the ban, which went into effect on Sunday, as a “bold action to protect our environment and ban these environmental blights”. Handing out free tote bags in Manhattan, New York mayor Bill de Blasio told New Yorkers: “We only have one chance to save our planet.”

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Posted by admin on Mar 7 2020. Filed under News at Now, News Worldwide, No Plastic. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry