New York lawmakers are expected to pass a ban on single-use plastic bags.
The New York Association of Convenience Stores (NYACS) released a statement in response to the expected ban on single-use plastic bags in the state of New York.
New York would be the third state to issue a statewide plastic bag ban, after California and Hawaii.
NYACS President Jim Calvin issued the following response:
“If the press reports are correct, there would be a ban on plastic bags, and individual counties and New York City would have the option of imposing a 5-cent fee on paper bags.
“This would be a lose-lose-lose scenario for New York convenience stores.
“First, we would no longer be able to offer the convenience of a plastic bag to customers who legitimately need one. For example, someone making an unplanned visit to the store on their way home from work in mid-July to pick up ice and a gallon of milk.
“Second, many customers would switch to paper bags, which are much costlier to the retailer.
“Third, in localities that levy the 5-cent fee on paper, retailers would have the administrative burdens of collecting the fee, explaining why to the customer, printing it on the receipt, keeping records of the fee revenue, and periodically remitting portions of the revenue to the state (3 cents) and the locality (2 cents).”
NYACS opposed the plastic bag ban proposed by Governor Cuomo in January, instead advocating for a 5-cent fee on both paper and plastic.
Founded in 1986, NYACS is a private, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to unifying, serving and representing the convenience store industry of New York State.
