Most residents know that New York State imposed a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags. While the state’s ban went into effect on March 1, County Executive Curran opted to suspend the enforcement until April 1, to give stores an extra month to prepare.
This ban was instituted to dramatically reduce the amount of plastic that is manufactured, shipped and thrown away. Plastic harms marine and human health. It litters beaches, and landscapes, and clogs waste streams and landfills, not to mention the environmental cost of making and shipping them. Single-use plastics are so prevalent in our society that it is difficult to avoid them entirely. While this ban is by no means all-encompassing, it is a very good start towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
For the time being, the ban only includes single-use bags that are given by store cashiers to take purchases home. All other plastic bags will continue to be used in stores for now. Containers that biodegrade and are otherwise safe for the environment will likely replace all single-use plastic food containers eventually.
New York uses 23 billion bags each year. This small change of habit should also serve to change people’s mindsets and habits to get us away from being such a disposable society. So many innovative alternatives to plastic carriers are being developed… some countries are even making disposable food trays out of palm leaves instead of plastic.
Rather than dreading this change, we should instead be embracing the ability to make a difference for our environment and future generations. Reusable bags last for years and are actually much sturdier, can hold more items and are easier to hold by the strong handles. Paper is not a permanent solution either but it is a better alternative until people get into the easy to remember habit of bringing reusable bags into stores when they shop.
Referred to most people by the brand name Styrofoam, polystyrene has also been banned in New York State. Used as food containers for decades because it is light and sturdy and acts as good heat and cold insulator. Unfortunately, polystyrene is very difficult to recycle in an environmentally or economically feasible way, which means it is relegated to the dump.
Mostly made of air, polystyrene easily breaks into small pieces that end up in waterways and other places. Animals and fish consume these pieces thinking they are food. Loose-fill packaging, or “packing peanuts,” made of polystyrene has also been banned. Packing peanuts made of cornstarch that degrade quickly in water are a perfect replacement.
We must all work together for a better, cleaner and more sustainable future for ourselves and for future generations. These changes are not burdensome. They are actually quite easy and will make a substantial difference in improving our environment. If you have any questions about these new laws or any other topic, please contact my office at 516-571-6211 or dderiggiwhitton@nassaucountyny.gov.
