Years ago, I recall vacationing on the west coast and being surprised when I was informed by a souvenir shop employee that they had no bags. It turns out, the city had recently banned plastic bags, and some of those stores had yet to provide an alternative. But I didn’t mind. I just thought it was a coastal thing, you know, to keep sea life and our ocean safer. That said, I never thought that my small, non-coastal California town would do the same. But a few years ago by, the entire state of California voted on the bag ban. Next thing you know, my local grocery stores did away with plastic bags, and we were charged at least 10 cents per paper bag.
But according to many residents in Staten Island, New York, they didn’t feel like the state properly warned them about the plastic bag ban that will go into effect March 1 of this year. Others knew about the ban but don’t feel ready for the change.
When asked about his opinion on the upcoming ban, 37-year-old Bobby W. was completely unaware. Like many residents, he doesn’t even know about New York’s #BYOBagNY campaign, which aims to prepare residents for the future ban.
“I haven’t heard a single thing about the ban,” he said outside of ShopRite on Richmond Avenue in Graniteville. “I guess I should buy some reusable bags.”
As for 64-year-old Gigi who resides in Mariners Harbor, she worries that the new bill will be an inconvenience for her and others in her position.
“As it is, the city takes all of my money,” she said. “That small fee adds up after a while, ya know. What’s next? What are they going to tax us for next. This is ridiculous.”
Even Council Member, Steven Matteo (R-Mid Island), believes the bag ban is unfair.
“This fee is ultimately a new tax on hard working New Yorkers who continue to LITERALLY be nickel and dimed in a variety of ways,” Matteo said on Twitter back in April.
Others argue that the United States uses far too many plastic bags each year and that the ban will be one of the best changes to come. Others are in favor of the ban but worry that switching to paper bags is even environmentally riskier than plastic bags.
Regardless of how residents feel, all Staten Islanders must now prepare themselves.
Based on the New York bill that was passed back in April 2019, the entire state will be participating in the ban. However, separate counties and cities can opt-in to charge a 5-cent fee per paper bag.
The single plastic bag ban in New York will not apply to produce bags for fresh fruits and vegetables or bags used at pharmacies for medication. Restaurant carry-out bags, bags for garments, bags for newspaper delivery, and bags for sliced food such as deli meat are also exempt.
The only residents who will be eligible to get free paper bags outside of the latter exceptions are those apart of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Women, Infants & Children (WIC) program.
How do you personally feel about the ban? Find out more about what New Yorkers have to say about the bill below.
