Bag tax opponents push recycling over fees
Lawmakers say city should seek other options
The City Council should drop its quest to have shoppers pay five cents for each plastic bag they use to carry their groceries out of the supermarket and instead explore expanding its waste recycling program, according to state lawmakers who voted to stop the council in its tracks.
The City Council approved the 5-cents-a-bag law last year as an environmental protection measure. Under the new law, store-owners are mandated to charge 5 cents for each plastic bag. The merchant will keep the money generated by the bag fee. The law was scheduled to go into effect on Feb. 15.
But if the city wants to look out for the environment, it should follow New York state’s lead, said Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay), who noted that the state has proven that recycling plastic bags is possible.