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United Nations Environment Programme

Towson, MD
Business
Here's When The Baltimore County Retail Plastic Bag Ban Will Take Effect Here's When The Baltimore County Retail Plastic Bag Ban Will Take Effect
Here's When The Baltimore County Retail Plastic Bag Ban Will Take Effect Officials in Baltimore County have approved the “Bring Your Own Bag” Act, which will require shoppers to bring their own reusable bag to the store or pay a fee for paper. The controversial bill passed 5 to 2 at the Baltimore County Council’s latest meeting, and the measure will go into effect at retailers beginning in November, when plastic carryout bags will be barred, minus a few exceptions. There were some minor changes made to the bill before it passed, including dropping the fee per paper bag from 10 cents to 5 cents each. The fee will impact all shoppers in Baltimore County. Small re…

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by Zak Failla
Towson, MD
Business
Plastic Bag Ban Proposed By Pols In Baltimore County Plastic Bag Ban Proposed By Pols In Baltimore County
Plastic Bag Ban Proposed By Pols In Baltimore County Baltimore County could be following in the footsteps of some neighboring jurisdictions and single-use plastic bags at retailers may soon be a relic of the past. Lawmakers have introduced the “Bring Your Own Bag Act,” which would limit the use of plastic bags and force retailers to provide reusable or paper bags in Baltimore County. “Plastic bags are one of the most problematic forms of garbage and litter, leading to millions of discarded bags that stream annually into our landfills, storm drains and waterways,” City Councilman Izzy Patoka, who co-sponsored the legislation, said. "Any addit…

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by Zak Failla
Bronxville, NY
Business
Wegmans Will Eliminate Plastic Bags In All Stores Wegmans Will Eliminate Plastic Bags In All Stores
Wegmans Will Eliminate Plastic Bags In All Stores Wegmans is going all-in on its plastic bag ban. The grocery giant announced that it will eliminate the use of plastic bags companywide by the end of 2022 as it seeks to shift customers to reusable bags, which they said is "the best option to solve the environmental challenge of single-use grocery bags.” Moving forward, Wegmans locations will be charging five cents per paper bag, mirroring measures that have already been put in place in New York and other major markets. Officials said that in areas that have eliminated plastic bags, approximately a quarter of customers use paper bags, whil…

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by Zak Failla
Massapequa, NY
Business
NY Plastic Bag Ban Starts With These Exceptions NY Plastic Bag Ban Starts With These Exceptions
NY Plastic Bag Ban Starts With These Exceptions The bag ban is back on. After being delayed due to the COVID-19 outbreak and a pending lawsuit, enforcement of the ban of single-use plastic bags in New York that was signed into law earlier this year and effective as of Monday, Oct. 19. Earlier story - Here's When Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect In NY The ban prohibits the use of bags in markets and grocery stores, with the exception of baggies used for pharmacy prescription, fruit, vegetables, and to wrap meat or fish. Restaurant takeout food is also exempt from the ban. The Department of Environmental Conservation was for…

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by Zak Failla
Torrington, CT
News
COVID-19: Plastic Bag Fee Returns In Connecticut COVID-19: Plastic Bag Fee Returns In Connecticut
Covid-19: Plastic Bag Fee Returns In Connecticut After being suspended for more than three months, the plastic bag fee at retailers in Connecticut is back as the state recovers from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed an Executive Order on Thursday, March 26 suspending the $0.10 fee for each single-use plastic bag in an attempt to curtail the spread of COVID-19. That Executive Order expired on June 30, and as of Wednesday, July 1, retailers providing customers with plastic bags will once again be collecting the fee, which goes to the state’s Department of Revenue Services. If a store charges a …

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by Zak Failla
Newburgh, NY
Politics
Here's When Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect In NY Here's When Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect In NY
Here's When Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect In NY The statewide ban of single-use plastic bags in New York is fast approaching. As of Sunday, March 1, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s legislation goes into effect, banning plastic bags statewide. According to Cuomo, New Yorkers use billions of plastic bags annually, which do not biodegrade, creating massive amounts of litter in neighborhoods and waterways and posing a threat to the health of area residents and the environment. The ban is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with plastic bag production and disposal. Once supplies of plastic bags are finished, reusable …

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by Zak Failla
Massapequa, NY
Lifestyle
Regulations Finalized For NY Plastic Bag Ban To Take Effect Regulations Finalized For NY Plastic Bag Ban To Take Effect
Regulations Finalized For NY Plastic Bag Ban To Take Effect Enforcement on the ban of single-use plastic bags at New York retailers on March 1 is expected to be lenient at the start, as final regulations for the ban are finalized. As of Sunday, March 1, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s legislation goes into effect, banning plastic bags statewide. However, amid fears of a paper bag shortage, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation reportedly acknowledged that retailers may not have had enough time to remove plastic bags from their stores. As a result, the NYSDEC plans to let retailers finish off their supplies of plastic bags after t…

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by Zak Failla
Kingston, NY
Lifestyle
New York Likely To Face Paper Bag Shortage, Experts Say New York Likely To Face Paper Bag Shortage, Experts Say
New York Likely To Face Paper Bag Shortage, Experts Say With a plastic bag ban set to take effect statewide in less than a month, New York may soon face a paper bag shortage, according to new reports. Last year, citing pollution and environmental concerns, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that as of March 1, 2020, single-use plastic bags would be banned throughout the state. According to Cuomo, New Yorkers use billions of plastic bags annually, which do not biodegrade, creating massive amounts of litter in neighborhoods and waterways and posing a threat to the health of area residents and the environment. The ban is expected to reduce green…

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by Zak Failla
Bronxville, NY
Business
Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY
Wegmans, With New Store In Area Near Opening, Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bags In NY Have your reusable grocery bags ready? With a new store set to open in the area over the summer, Wegmans announced that the company is planning to phase out single-use plastic grocery bags in all its New York stores as of Monday, Jan .27. The grocery store giant announced on Monday, Jan. 6, that ahead of a planned statewide ban on single-use bags that takes effect in March, they will begin encouraging customers to use reusable bags. Related story: Wegmans Sets Official Opening Day For Harrison Location Paper bags will still be available for a five-cent fee, with sales being donated…

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by Zak Failla
Somers, NY
News
Plastic Bag Ban Will Soon Take Effect In This Westchester Town Plastic Bag Ban Will Soon Take Effect In This Westchester Town
Plastic Bag Ban Will Soon Take Effect In This Westchester Town While the ban on single-use plastic bags in New York State begins in March, a Westchester town is taking the initiative and will begin a town-wide ban beginning next month. Beginning on Sunday, Dec. 1, the Town of Mamaroneck will institute a ban on single-use bags and a 5-cent fee on paper bags in local stores, after the Town Board passed the “Mamaroneck Bag Waste Reduction Law.” The legislation was agreed upon unanimously by the Town Board in September. The statewide ban takes effect as of March 2020. When the ban takes effect, restaurants will still be permitted to provide plastic bags …

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by Zak Failla
Fairfield, CT
News
Stop & Shop To Ban Plastic Bags At All CT Stores Stop & Shop To Ban Plastic Bags At All CT Stores
Stop & Shop To Ban Plastic Bags At All CT Stores In just days, Stop & Shop will become the latest retailer in Connecticut to ban the use of single-use plastic bags. After Big Y announcing that it is eliminating the use of plastic bags in its Connecticut stores, Stop & Shop said that that, beginning on Thursday, Aug. 1, stores will begin eliminating the use of plastic bags at checkout. The store also announced that it will begin charging 10 cents per paper bag as of Tuesday, Sept. 3. The move is part of a statewide effort. “We know that the environmental impact of plastics is something our customers and communities care about he…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfield, CT
Business
Plastic Bag Ban To Take Effect At Prominent Connecticut Grocery Store Plastic Bag Ban To Take Effect At Prominent Connecticut Grocery Store
Plastic Bag Ban To Take Effect At Prominent Connecticut Grocery Store Plastic bags will soon be a thing of the past at a prominent Connecticut grocery store, as they begin phasing them out as part of efforts to become more economically friendly. Big Y announced that as of Thursday, Aug. 1, it will be eliminating single-use plastic bags from more than 80 markets and specialty stores located in Connecticut and Massachusetts.  "By working with shoppers, Big Y aims to further reduce consumption to make a difference across New England," the company announced. "As laws and regulations across the local communities that Big Y serves continue to change, the groce…

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by Zak Failla
Newburgh, NY
Politics
Here's When Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect In NY Here's When Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect In NY
Here's When Ban On Single-Use Plastic Bags Takes Effect In NY Single-use plastic bags will soon be extinct in New York State. Citing pollution and concerns for animal safety on Earth Day, April 22, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed legislation that will ban the use of single-use bags beginning on March 1, 2020. The plastic bag ban was included in Cuomo’s recently released $175.5 billion state budget. According to Cuomo, New Yorkers use billions of plastic bags annually, which do not biodegrade, creating massive amounts of litter in neighborhoods and waterways and posing a threat to the health of area residents and the environment. The ban is expected…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfield, CT
Police & Fire
Connecticut Moves Step Closer To Ban On Plastic Bags, Takeout Containers, Straws Connecticut Moves Step Closer To Ban On Plastic Bags, Takeout Containers, Straws
Connecticut Moves Step Closer To Ban On Plastic Bags, Takeout Containers, Straws With more and more municipalities in Connecticut banning single-use plastic bags, the state is taking measures to make those measures further reaching. The legislature’s Environment Committee voted 24-4 for a bipartisan bill that would ban the sale of single-use plastic bags, straws and take-out containers as soon as 2020. The proposed legislation would require stores use 100 percent recyclable paper bags that contain no less than 40 percent recycled materials. The bill will now go to the Senate for a vote. Under the proposed law, stores that fail to comply will be issued a warning for a f…

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by Zak Failla
New City, NY
News
Plastic Bag Ban Measure Passes In Rockland Plastic Bag Ban Measure Passes In Rockland
Plastic Bag Ban Measure Passes In Rockland In an effort to “combat litter, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment for future generations,” Rockland County s banning single-use plastic bags at retailers, restaurants and grocery stores. In a bipartisan 14-3 vote, legislators in Rockland easily backed a measure that would ban the use of bags. The bill was sponsored by County legislators Laurie Santulli and Nancy Low-Hogan and will be sent to County Executive Ed Day for approval in the next three weeks. "Plastic bags not only make Rockland County look terrible, they cause problems for our solid waste facility a…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
Lifestyle
Vote Now: Do You Think Plastic Bags Should Be Banned? Here's What New Yorkers Say Vote Now: Do You Think Plastic Bags Should Be Banned? Here's What New Yorkers Say
Vote Now: Do You Think Plastic Bags Should Be Banned? Here's What New Yorkers Say What do New Yorkers think about a possible plastic bag ban? A brand new Quinnipiac poll released this week found that the state is nearly split down the middle, with 48 percent supporting a ban and 47 percent opposing the banning of single-use plastic bags. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this month that a bottle bill expansion and a plastic bag ban will be included in the 2019 Executive Budget. The expansion on the bottle bill will make most non-alcoholic drink containers eligible for five-cent redemption. According to the poll, 53 percent of women support the ban, while just 42 perc…

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by Zak Failla
Shelton, CT
Lifestyle
Push For Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Picking Up Steam Statewide Push For Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Picking Up Steam Statewide
Push For Single-Use Plastic Bag Ban Picking Up Steam Statewide The push to ban single-use plastic bags is gaining steam as elected officials propose legislation to phase them out in Connecticut. Two bills have been sent to the General Assembly’s Environmental Committee in Connecticut that would either ban or disincentive the use of such bags by charging a fee for each one used. The first bill, co-sponsored by Reps. David Michel and Josh Elliott would potentially ban plastic bags, straws, certain packaging and other products that contain microplastics. The second proposed bill, submitted by Rep. Christine Conley, would see a five-cent tax on any si…

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by Zak Failla
Poughkeepsie, NY
News
Vote Now: What Do You Think Of Dutchess' Ban On Plastic Bags? Vote Now: What Do You Think Of Dutchess' Ban On Plastic Bags?
Vote Now: What Do You Think Of Dutchess' Ban On Plastic Bags? Dutchess County is going green, and plastic bags will soon be a relic of the past at area retailers. Elected officials in Dutchess County have voted to eliminate single-use carryout bag at retail stores, joining several other counties in New York looking to ban plastic bags. The ban will take effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Between 500 billion and one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Less than 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled in the United States and they are not acceptable at certain recycling centers. "T…

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by Zak Failla
White Plains, NY
Business
DeCicco & Sons Eliminating Single-Use Plastic Bags DeCicco & Sons Eliminating Single-Use Plastic Bags
DeCicco & Sons Eliminating Single-Use Plastic Bags Plastic bags will soon be a relic of the past at a prominent group of food stores. DeCicco & Sons Markets announced that it will be fully eliminating the single-use plastic bags in all seven of their stores within the next seven days.  They currently have locations in Ardsley, Armonk, Brewster, Harrison, Larchmont, Millwood and Pelham. An eighth location is in the works in Somers. “We’ve decided to take this step because we take very seriously the role that we have within our communities, and the responsibility we have to be good corporate citizens,” shared John DeCicco Jr., CEO of the…

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by Zak Failla