The U.S. state of New York has officially banned single-use plastic shopping bags, encouraging its residents to bring their own reusable bags in a collective effort to be kinder to the planet.
To avoid customers having to pay for paper bags or constantly buying reusable bags – the state is promoting the #BYOBagNY campaign, encouraging New Yorkers to make sure they are always prepared with reusable bags, be it in the car, purse, pocket, or even attached to a keyring.
The plastic bag ban was approved last year and has finally become law as of March 1st, 2020, making New York the third state in the nation to ban bags. Now, all retailers required to collect New York State sales tax are prohibited from giving customers plastic bags, explains the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. A few exceptions to the single-use plastic ban apply, such as for bags used to carry prescription medication and those used to wrap uncooked food to keep them clean.
