NYC bag recycling law to take effect

A new law set to take effect in New York City on July 23 will require chains and large stores to offer plastic bag recycling, or risk facing fines of up to US$300 per day.

Approved by the City Council in January, the new law requires stores of 5,000 square feet or more, and chains with more than five locations in the city, to make bins available for customers to return their plastic bags for recycling. In addition, stores are required to sell cloth bags as an alternative.

According to Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the Council can revise the law to include higher fines and more stringent rules if a significant number of stores do not comply.

Council will also call on the city of Albany to block any legislation that would preempt and weaken the City’s plastic bag recycling law.

Plastic bags make up 2.7 percent of New York City’s waste, according to the Department of Sanitation.

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