23-04-2025
Environmental impact: 5 years since New York's plastic bag ban
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — It has been just over five years since former Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the New York State Bag Waste Reduction Act, which meant all stores collecting sales tax were no longer able to distribute plastic bags.
The goal was to eliminate the use of extra plastic and help keep communities clean and safe.
Now, many grocery stores, like Tops Friendly Market on Mt. Read Boulevard, have begun pushing consumers to invest in reusable bags.
'We encourage customers to use the reusable bags so that as a company, we are being more environmentally friendly,' says Dave Williams, the Mt. Read Boulevard location store manager. 'We want to do what we can to prevent any kind of plastics going into the landfill, trying to do our best to really push the use of reusable bags, as they are best for the environment.'
Along with most other grocery stores, Tops does provide paper bags to customers, but even paper bags can be harmful for the environment. A spokesperson from the supermarket chain says that although paper is much more environmentally friendly than plastic, it can still present potential issues, as the production of paper bags can release air and water pollutants.
As Williams explains, reusable bags are better for the environment, and your wallet.
'We want to be customer friendly,' he says. 'So we do provide paper bags at a small cost, so there is a savings long term by using reusable bags.'
Even though Tops and other supermarkets were enjoying the reusable bags, many customers weren't on board right away.
'Originally, I missed them,' said Dorothy Madigan, a Town of Greece resident. 'I would use them for trash and everything else.'
Another Greece resident agreed with Dorothy.
'I liked the plastic bags,' says Anne Murphy. 'I have a cat and I would find other uses for the bags outside of just holding groceries.'
Eventually though, they both came around to the many positive aspects of the reusable bags.
'Now I have several different bags from different vendors and I use them everywhere I go,' says Murphy. 'It's a way to restore energy and not have to worry about things.'
'Their easier to carry, easier to pack, their just all around better,' said Madigan, referring to reusable bags. 'You keep them in your car, take them in the store, bring them home, and nothing gets trashed. They last a long time and their relatively cheap too.'
Aside from the environmental aspects, Williams says that by purchasing certain reusable bags at any local Tops locations, you can be giving to those in need as well. Through a charitable program called 'Totes For Change', for every special charity-design reusable bag they sell, a portion of proceeds go to a number of organizations, including United Way, Feeding America, Golisano Children's Hospital, and many more.
'To date,' Williams explains. 'We have donated over $739,000 to so many organizations that help local families.'
We also reached out to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, who told us because of the plastic bag ban, we have seen a significant reduction in the amount of waste and litter statewide.
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