Tuesday, February 25, 2020

THESE PLASTIC BAGS ARE STILL ALLOWED, JOURNAL NEWS

Sadly this blog continues to receive misinformed, angry commentary about plastic bags---and what a great environmental victory has been achieved in banning all plastic bags.

There's only one problem.  ALL plastic bags have not been banned.  In fact, not much has been banned at all.  The Journal News provides a helpful breakdown at  https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/albany/2020/02/18/new-york-plastic-bag-ban-these-bags-still-allowed-march-1/4793587002/

Readers are encouraged to become more informed before posting lengthy manifestos that are flawed, emotional and just downright incorrect.  This helps no one.

Not banned:

Stores will still be able to package your meat, fish and poultry in thin plastic bags. According to the DEC regulations, the bag ban won't apply to any bags used to contain or wrap uncooked meat, fish, seafood, poultry, unwrapped or non-prepackaged food, flowers or plants.

Plastic bags can be used for other items, too, if they're necessary to be kept separate for purposes of avoiding contamination or moisture damage, or for sanitary purposes.

Bags for bulk purchases will still be allowed.

Bags for ....Pet stores and retailers will be allowed to use plastic bags for live insects, fish, crustaceans, mollusks or "other aquatic items requiring a waterproof bag,"...

Newspaper delivery bags, exempt AND NOT BANNED

ZipLoc and other food storage bags--The ban exempts bags that are meant for food storage, particularly those manufactured in "snack, sandwich, quart, and gallon sizes."

Dry cleaning bags are exempt

Trash bags are exempt

Thick plastic bags--The ban applies to carryout bags made out of plastic film, which the DEC regulations define as less than 10 mils — 1/100th of an inch — thick. So theoretically, bags that are greater than 10 mils thick would still be allowed. That exception has angered environmental groups, who say it has the ability to undermine the entire purpose of the bag ban by potentially allowing more plastic in the waste stream.

Restaurant take out bags are exempt

As always you are encouraged to read the entire article at the link above.

2 comments:

  1. so really the only thing is the bag i carry out stuff in that has been banned. interesting. thanks.

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  2. Can this be right? Everyone is lauding this as the second coming. Look I limit as much plastic as I can. I do. I re-use a lot of stuff. But you're going to see a lot of problems with this starting with how many you have to carry, how often you have to wash them, and shoplifting sorry to say. Just google reusable bags and shoplifting.

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