Enforcement of New York’s single-use plastic bag ban has been moved from April 1 to May 15. The bag ban went into effect on March 1, and the law prohibits retail stores from providing single-use plastic bags, with some exceptions; single-use paper bags are allowed, but localities can impose a 5-cent fee per bag.
This move is due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has delayed a bag ban-related lawsuit between the state and the Bodega & Small Business Association, which represents 14,000 delis and bodegas in New York City.
New York Post has more details:
New Yorkers can still get groceries and supplies in plastic bags during the coronavirus pandemic.
State officials have announced they now won’t enforce New York’s controversial plastic bag ban until May 15, it was revealed this week.
New York State’s Department of Conservation posted on its website that it would postpone the enforcement of the ban from April 1 as the agency deals with a lawsuit that is delayed due to the coronavirus crisis.