Local environmentalists are pushing for more bans and restrictions on plastic use across New York state.

Despite the recent failure of a pair of bills that didn’t make it out of committee, they say New York is leading the way when it comes to single-use plastic reform, but contend more needs to be done.

“Trash has always been an issue in New York City,” said former City Council Member Rafael Espinal.

What You Need To Know

  • Environmentalists say New York is leading the way when it comes to single-use plastic reform, but contend more needs to be done

  • The group Oceana says polling shows 88 percent of New Yorkers support policy at state and local levels to curb single-use plastic products

  • Small shop owners like say low income communities are disproportionately impacted by a plastic bag ban

Espinal supported bills to protect the environment which went further than the plastic bag ban including a city ban on styrofoam containers now in effect.

Espinal, himself, introduced a bill which would have banned plastic straws and single-use plastic cutlery. The council later restricted plastic straw use.

“I think at the end of the day, I think we do have to look at who is producing these materials and go after those manufacturers,” Espinal said.

Brian Langloss agrees. He’s an organizer for the environmental group Oceana which works to protect and restore oceans.

“Instead of allowing them to push off the cost of doing business onto tax payers, I think that’s the path forward to a plastic free New York,” Langloss said.

Langloss is lobbying state lawmakers to consider two bills to reduce dependence on single-use plastics.

One of the measures would make plastic utensils at restaurants available only upon request, another does the same for single-use plastic straws and single-use plastic stirrers.

“Eighty-eight percent of New Yorkers support policy at state and local level to curb single-use plastic products,” Langloss said.

Despite the support, a single-use plastic bag ban still has opposition nearly two years since it went into effect.

“They don’t like it,” said bodega owner Carly Peralta

Peralta who owns a northern Manhattan mini-market says customers still complain about the state’s ban on single use plastic bags implemented in October of 2020.

“They’re getting used to it to bring their own bags, but sometimes they forget, sometimes they don’t want to pay for it,” Peralta said.

Before the single-use plastic bag ban went into effect the city’s Department of Sanitation said residents used more than 10 billion single-use carryout bags every year. The department is planning another study for next year.

But small shop owners like Peralta say low income communities are paying the price for the restrictions and bans.

Francisco Marte advocates for those small businesses.

“For the low income community a couple cents extra is a lot for them,” Marte said.

Marte said about 40% of businesses he represents have opted to continue to use plastic bags in spite of the law.

He said the cost of a bundle of 250 paper bags runs $55, as compared to $12 for 600 plastic bags.

“Let’s have some help for the bodega to give some incentive,” Marte said.

Peralta said absent a government subsidy, she tries to pass along the added cost of paper bags, but sometimes it’s better to take a small loss than to lose a customer who can’t afford it.

“I’m not going to see a good customer that they don’t have enough for the 25 cents, I’ll be like, ‘You can have it,’” Peralta said.