Out of an estimated 100 billion plastic bags used by Americans each year, 23 billion are from New York State alone. Beginning March 1, 2020, the Bag Waste Reduction Act will go into effect in New York State. The law was passed in hopes of reducing New York’s plastic and single-use waste and consequently its environmental impacts thereof. 

“All plastic carryout bags (other than an exempt bag) are banned from distribution by anyone required to collect New York sales tax,” New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation states. “Cities and counties are authorized to adopt a five-cent paper carry-out bag reduction fee.” 

The law exempts some plastic bags, such as bags that separate foods like meats or produce to avoid contamination, package bulk items, restaurant carry-out bags and bags for prescription drugs. 

Courant alumna Merel Huisman believes the ban is the push consumers need to bring awareness to plastic usage and begin reducing plastic waste. 

“I think part of the problem comes from going to supermarkets where you are barely even given the opportunity to say no to plastic bags, because the groceries are packed for you,” Huisman said. “The shopper can’t even stop to think, or take out their own reusable bag because by the time they do, their groceries have already been scanned and packed in plastic bags.” 

However, even though the law will ban plastic bags, paper bags still negatively impact the environment and will continue to be distributed. The question is, will a five-cent fee be enough to reduce paper bag usage as well? The fee only applies to taxed sales, excluding tax-exempt stores like NYU’s Market at Sidestein, where paper bags will be given out with no fee. 

The Bag Waste Reduction Act is not New York State’s first attempt at addressing its plastic bag problem. In 2009, New York’s Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Act set measures in place to offer plastic bag recycling collection in select stores. However, the act only relied on the will of consumers to remember to recycle their bags. 

Tisch junior Sarah Nelson recognizes that the ban is only a step towards reducing the abundance of plastic waste New York creates. 

“Plastic is so terrible for the environment, I only wish this ban covered all plastic bags across the board, not just those from places with sales tax,” Nelson said. ”Though a lot of change comes through education, and this will be a small but powerful way to educate people.” 

Nelson also believes that the ban will be a wake-up call for the NYU community who have become accustomed to single-use bags. 

“I hope that this will influence students to be more mindful of the waste we create,” Nelson said. “We are a huge part of determining what our planet will look like in the future. I think that a lot of us just aren’t aware of how everything we do affects the planet. That’s part of the reason why I think this ban will be so good, because it’s taking away the opportunity to use single-use plastic that so many of us wouldn’t even think about otherwise.” 

New York State’s Department of Environmental Conservation is encouraging shoppers to #BYOBagNY so shoppers do not give in to paper bag usage after the law goes into effect. 

“Ideally, a bag should be washable and designed for multiple uses, such as one made from cloth,” the Department of Environmental Conservation advised. “If you forget to bring a bag with you, many retailers will have reusable bags for sale.” 

Starting March 1, do not forget your reusable bags!

A version of this article appears in the Monday, March 2, 2020 print edition. Email Mia Karle at [email protected].