Perfect Timing!

As the Brooklyn Green Team's No Plastic Bag Challenge winds down...

New York City Plastic Bag Recycling Law to Take Effect July 23

The New York City Plastic Carryout Bag Recycling Law, recently passed by the City Council and signed by Mayor Bloomberg is set to take effect July 23, 2008. This new law requires certain stores to establish recycling programs for plastic film such as shopping bags and dry cleaning bags. Stores (of 5,000 square feet or more) are also required to sell reusable totes and include recycling messaging on disposable bags. The law applies to retail or wholesale establishments selling products and providing plastic carryout bags and with either 5,000 or more square feet of retail space or 5 or more stores located in the City. It should be noted that the New York State Legislature recently passed a similar law, however it increases the size threshold of stores that would be subject to the law from 5,000 to 10,000 square feet and is preemptive legislation that would take effect in 2009 if signed by the Governor. Nevertheless, many stores have already established plastic film recycling centers in preparation for July 23.

Hooray!!!!

Source: www.cenyc.org