Last week, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and the Citizens Committee for New York City hosted a free reusable bag giveaway at Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center in Flushing.
According to Rozic, the giveaway was done as part of efforts to encourage reusable bag usage and raise awareness about a new city law that will place a 5-cent charge on single-use plastic and paper bags.
The law is set to take effect on February 15, 2017.
“With plastic waste posting a greater risk, today’s giveaway in Flushing with the help of Citizens Committee will positively impact our community,” said Rozic, who is on the Assembly’s Committee on Environmental Conservation. “It is important that we inform Queens residents about the various green initiatives available to help our environment and our economy.”
Under the plastic bag law, the 5-cent charge will be kept by store owners. Purchases made using SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as Food Stamps) or WIC (Women, Infants and Children) are exempt. Purchases at restaurants, liquor stores and food pantries are also exempt.