New York prohibits most single-use plastic carryout bags statewide, and Buffalo stores must offer reusable or paper alternatives, with Erie County collecting a five-cent paper bag fee at the register.
NY Environmental Conservation Law section 27-2801, the Bag Waste Reduction Act effective March 2020, bans most single-use plastic carryout bags from any retailer that collects sales tax. Buffalo and the rest of Erie County opted into the state's five-cent paper carryout bag fee, with revenue split between the state environmental fund and the county WIC program. Exempt bags include those for bulk produce, raw meat or fish, prescription medications, restaurant takeout containing prepared food, and newspaper or garment bags. Reusable bag standards require minimum thickness and use cycles.
Distributing banned plastic carryout bags can result in NY Department of Environmental Conservation warnings, fines starting at two hundred fifty dollars, and escalating penalties for repeat offenses.
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See how Buffalo's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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