New York State's Bag Waste Reduction Act bans single-use plastic carryout bags statewide, and NYC Local Law 154 of 2020 layers a five-cent paper-bag fee on top, collected by retailers for the state Environmental Protection Fund and city solid-waste program.
Effective March 2020, New York State Environmental Conservation Law Article 27 Title 28 prohibits any retailer subject to sales tax from providing single-use plastic carryout bags. NYC Local Law 154 of 2020 added a five-cent paper-bag fee codified at Administrative Code section 16-498, with three cents retained by the state and two cents sent to the city solid-waste reduction fund. SNAP and WIC customers are exempt from the fee. Reusable bags, restaurant takeout bags, and produce bags inside stores remain allowed. Retailers must post signage and report bag tax collections to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Distributing banned plastic carryout bags violates ECL section 27-2805 with state penalties up to $250 first offense and $500 thereafter; failing to charge or remit the NYC paper-bag fee under Admin Code section 16-498 carries equivalent civil fines.
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New York, NY
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New York, NY
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