Rockland County, NY Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Adopted
- April 15, 2008, L.L. No. 1-2008
- Covered stores
- 10,000+ sq ft or 5+ chain locations
- Bag threshold
- 20,000 sq ft triggers reusable-bag sale
- First-offense fine
- Up to $250 (§ 330-13)
- Third+ offense fine
- Up to $1,000 per offense
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Consumer Affairs Commissioner
Summary
Rockland County Code §§ 330-11 and 330-12 require stores that hand out plastic carryout bags to run an at-store take-back program: a visible collection bin near the entrance for the public to return clean plastic bags, plus reusable bags for sale at stores 20,000 square feet or larger. The 2008 Plastic Bag Recycling Act covers big-box stores and chains of five or more locations alike.
§ 330-11. At-store recycling program. The operator of a store shall establish an at-store recycling program pursuant to the provisions of this article that provides an opportunity for members of the public to return to the store clean plastic carryout bags from any source. ... § 330-12. Program requirements. An at-store recycling program provided by the operator of a store shall require: A. A plastic carryout bag collection bin to be placed at or near the entrance to each store, and such bin shall be highly visible and indicate that the bin is intended for recycling and not for the discarding of garbage. Such collection bin shall be easily accessible to the consumer; and such collection bin shall be clearly marked that the collection bin is available for the purpose of collecting and recycling plastic carryout bags only.
Full Breakdown
The Rockland County Legislature adopted the Plastic Bag Recycling Act of 2008 by Local Law No. 1-2008 on April 15, 2008, codified as Article II of Chapter 330. It covers any 'store' with 10,000 square feet or more of selling area, or that belongs to a chain of five or more retail establishments operating under the same name or common ownership. Section 330-11 requires the operator of a covered store to establish an at-store recycling program giving the public a way to return clean plastic carryout bags from any source, not just bags the store itself distributed.
Section 330-12 spells out what that program must include: a highly visible plastic-bag collection bin at or near the store entrance, clearly marked for bag recycling only and not general garbage, and easily accessible to customers; collected bags must then be collected, transported and recycled consistent with applicable law and any regulations adopted under the article. 25 mils thick, available for customers to buy in place of a plastic or paper carryout bag. The Commissioner of the Rockland County Department of Consumer Affairs administers the article and can adopt implementing rules under § 330-14, and § 330-16 builds in a reverse-preemption clause: the whole article becomes null and void the day state or federal law imposes the same or substantially similar requirements.
Violations & Fines
Section 330-13 punishes an operator's violation of the Plastic Bag Recycling Act with a fine up to $250 for a first offense, up to $500 for a second, and up to $1,000 for a third and each later offense within any twelve-month period. Each day an operator stays out of compliance counts as its own separate violation, so fines compound quickly for a store that never installs the required collection bin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Rockland County stores have to take back plastic bags?
What has to be at the bag collection bin?
Does Rockland County require stores to sell reusable bags?
What happens if a Rockland County store ignores the bag law?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rockland County
New York rules heatmap·Compare Rockland County to another location·View the New York trash & recycling overview
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