plastic bags

New York's plastic bag ban effectively on hold for now

By Karen DeWitt • Apr 24, 2020

New York state’s plastic bag ban took effect on March 1, but like much of society, it is now on “pause” as supermarkets and retailers that remain open grapple with other issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.

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2:59

WBFO Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt reports

NYS distributes reusable bags to help needy adjust to ban

By James Brown • Mar 3, 2020

Keeping plastic bags out of landfills and the environment is the goal of New York State’s ban of the bags in grocery stores, but Foodlink’s CEO Julia Tedesco said there could be other consequences.

Plastic bag ban takes effect to mixed reviews

By Mike Desmond • Mar 2, 2020

A new state law barring plastic shopping bags went into effect Sunday. Many shoppers said they liked the plastic bags because they have many different second lives.

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1:31

WBFO's Mike Desmond reports

Some retailers worry NY's plastic bag ban will create ‘inconvenience’ stores

By Tom Magnarelli • Feb 26, 2020

Some convenience store owners in New York State are worried about the new plastic bag ban going into effect this weekend. Their concerns are over the possible cost increase and limited availability of paper bags, as stores make the switch.

Ontario businesses taking the lead to reduce plastic waste

By Dan Karpenchuk • Feb 5, 2020

Ottawa says it is moving forward with a ban on single-use plastics across Canada, but the legislation won’t likely come into force until 2021.

Single-use plastic bags pulled from Wegmans stores statewide

By Chris Caya • Jan 27, 2020

Wegmans is getting a jump on New York state's new law banning retailers from using single-use plastic bags.

No more single-use plastic bags at Wegmans

By Alex Crichton • Jan 27, 2020

Starting Monday, single-use plastic bags won't be available at area Wegmans stores. The grocery chain is getting an early start on the state-wide ban, which begins in March.

Wegmans plastic bag ban starts January 27

By Beth Adams • Jan 6, 2020

Wegmans shoppers will no longer be able to carry their groceries home in the store's recognizable brown plastic bags at the end of January.

The Rochester-based supermarket chain is removing single-use plastic bags from its New York stores on January 27, ahead of a statewide ban that takes effect on March 1.

Customers will have two choices: bring their own bags - which Wegmans is encouraging them to do - or request paper bags, which come with a 5-cent fee per bag. Customers who receive SNAP or WIC benefits are exempt from the fee.

Supporters and opponents of plastic bag ban find fault with proposed state regulations

By Karen DeWitt • Dec 17, 2019

Beginning in March, New York will ban single-use plastic bags at grocery stores and other retail outlets, which supporters believe will cut down on residents’ use of an estimated 23 billion plastic bags each year. State regulators have released new rules to enforce the changes, but groups on both sides of the issue say those rules are flawed.

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3:57

WBFO Albany Correspondent Karen DeWitt reports.

Southern Tier Wegmans stores eliminate plastic bags

By WBFO Newsroom & Sarah Gager • Jul 29, 2019

Starting today, plastic bags aren’t an option when you check out at Wegmans stores in Ithaca and Corning. Wegmans set their goal to eliminate plastic bags by the end of this year although New York’s ban on the bags doesnt take effect until March 2020.

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1:47

WSKG's Sarah Gager reports from Binghamton.

Does banning plastic bags solve the plastics problem?

By James Morgan • Apr 8, 2019

People have been talking about plastic bags a lot lately. The single-use plastic bag, ubiquitous at most supermarkets, is the favorite culprit in the campaign against plastic pollution. Banning really should not be that difficult, but it also depends on the willingness of packaging companies, retailers and consumers to adapt.

Press Pass: Beer, weed and plastic, oh my!

By Jay Moran • Jan 15, 2019

Newell Nussbaumer and Jessica Marinelli of Buffalo Rising join WBFO's Jay Moran on this week's Press Pass. Today, a look at the continued expansion of craft breweries in Buffalo and the potential impact of legalized recreational marijuana. But first, a look at a proposal to ban plastic bags in New York State.

Wegmans, Tops respond to Governor's proposed plastic bag ban

By Randy Gorbman • Apr 25, 2018

Wegmans has some concerns about Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal this week to ban single-use plastic bags.

Governor proposes plastic grocery bag ban -- with exceptions

By Karen DeWitt • Apr 24, 2018

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has proposed a bill to ban plastic grocery bags in New York, but not everyone is praising him for it.

Poloncarz welcomes possibility of statewide plastic bag ban

By Michael Mroziak • Mar 1, 2018

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is welcoming a new push at the state level to ban plastic shopping bags. Two State Senators from Manhattan say their bill is designed to encourage more use of reusable bags.

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1:49

WBFO's Michael Mroziak reports.

New York searching for answers in combating plastic bag waste

By Nick Lippa • Jan 15, 2018

It’s not just consumers. Recycling plastic bags for many retailers has proven difficult. To help with this problem, the New York Plastic Bag Task Force has identified eight possible solutions and sent the report to Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for consideration.

Students use creativity to ease plastic pollution

By Khalid Terrell & WBFO Staff • Nov 2, 2017

A unique educational campaign has been launched that blends science and creativity to red-flag the dangers of plastic pollution.

Environmentalist praises proposed plastic bag ban

By Nick Lippa • Mar 10, 2016

Your trips to the supermarket could be impacting the water you drink. That’s one reason why Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is proposing a ban on plastic bags at all stores in the county.