If Governor Cuomo has his way, you'll no longer have the choice between paper or plastic. The Governor is proposing a ban on single-use plastic bags across the state.

As a part of his executive budget, Governor Cuomo proposed the ban of single-use plastic bags.

The Governor originally introduced the proposal in 2018, and is likely to introduce similar legislation this year. The bill exempts garment bags, trash bags and any bags used to wrap or contain certain foods, such as fruits and sliced meats.

At the time, Cuomo justified the ban, in part by addressing the environmental impact of the bags. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 80 percent of plastic pollution in the ocean originated on land, which includes plastic bags, and in New York, residents use 23 billion plastic bags annually, which contributes to pollution both on and off land. These bags do not biodegrade and they persist for years.

What Does A Ban Mean For Central New Yorkers?

Get ready to bring your own bags to the grocery store, take-out pick ups, and anywhere else you've been using a plastic bag. Of course, many people already use environmentally responsible bags when they shop.

How do you feel about this ban? Do you think it's unnecessary or the right step to protect the environment? Let us know at beth@lite987.com

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