You might have heard of the new NYC Bag Bill buzzing around the news. If not, let us catch you up: As of May 5th, New Yorker’s will be charged for bags! Sounds crazy right? Let us explain further, under this new law grocery stores are able to charge at least 5 cents for each plastic or paper carryout bag for customers who don’t bring their own reusable bags.
Why?
Did you know that In New York City alone, the Sanitation Department has said it collects roughly 10 billion single-use plastic bags a year? 10 BILLION! With that being said, the hope with this new law is to make the city cleaner and protect the environment. The goal is not to collect the fee, but to nudge New Yorker’s into bringing their own reusable bags when they shop.
Don’t worry…There are exemptions in the law:
Restaurants, including those that deliver and serve takeout, and street vendors or prepared food will not have to charge for the plastic bags they give to customers. Among the other exemptions: plastic bags used for produce, small paper medicine bags at pharmacies, bags used at state-regulated liquor stores and bags used by soup kitchens. Those buying groceries with food stamps are also exempt from paying the fee. including bags for medications at pharmacies, bags for prepared foods from restaurants and items purchased with food stamps.
So what do you use instead of plastic and paper?
Reusable shopping and grocery bags of course! How about Captiv8’s Custom Laminated Reusable bag or our Banker Bags? This is perfect to give away at your next company event to all of your guests, since they will be needing reusable bags. With a large imprint space on all sides of the bag, you will have multiple options for dispersing your brand and logo on the tote bag as well as making it noticeable for any wandering eyes. Let us know and we can even help re-design your logo and make the trendiest promotional tote or laminated reusable bag for your company event!
