Saturday, February 15, 2020

FREE REUSABLE BAGS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED IN KENSINGTON AND WINDSOR TERRACE

Single-use plastic bags will be banned in New York State as of March 1, 2020, with limited exceptions. Retailers can no longer distribute film plastic carryout bags.

A five-cent fee will be charged in New York City on paper bags.

Get a free reusable nylon bag that's designed and manufactured for multiple uses at Kensington Plaza and Walgreens - Windsor Farms Market.

The bags will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis at Kensington Plaza on Sunday, February 23rd, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and at at Walgreens - Windsor Farms Market on Saturday, February 29th, from noon to 1:00 p.m.

Kensington Plaza is in front of the Walgreens at 114 Beverley Road, between McDonald Avenue and E. 2nd Street (map). Walgreens - Windsor Farms Market is at 589 Prospect Avenue near 11th Avenue.

The events will be hosted by Assembly Member Robert Carroll and the New York City Department of Sanitation.

Bags that are exempt from the law are 
  • Used solely to contain or wrap uncooked meat, fish, seafood, poultry, or other unwrapped food, flower, or plant item;
  • Used by a customer solely to package items from bulk containers, including fruits, vegetables, grains, candy, small hardware items (such as nuts, bolts, and screws), live fish, or live insects;
  • Used solely to contain food sliced or prepared to order;
  • Used solely to contain a newspaper for delivery to a subscriber;
  • Sold in bulk quantities to a consumer at the point of sale that were specifically prepackaged in a manner to allow for bulk sale (for example, quantities of bags prepackaged in individual pre-sealed boxes) or prepackaged in individual boxes or containers for sale to a customer;
  • Sold as a trash bag;
  • Sold as a food storage bag, such as those in snack, sandwich, quart, and gallon sizes;
  • Used as a garment bag, such as those used by a dry cleaner or laundry service;
  • Provided by a restaurant, tavern, or similar food service establishment, as defined in the state sanitary code, to carry out or deliver food;
  • Provided by a pharmacy to carry prescription drugs;
  • A reusable bag, as that term is defined in proposed Part 351 draft regulations; or
  • A film plastic bag for which there is no reasonable or practical alternative for storing, containing or transporting items, as determined by the department.