A ban on single-use plastic bags is set to go into effect statewide on Sunday. That means retailers and grocery stores will no longer offer them to customers and can charge a five-cent fee for paper bags.
Plastic bags can still be used to carry items like uncooked meat, takeout orders and prescriptions. People are being urged to bring their own reusable bags when they head out to shop, but are reminded that stores aren't required to have them available.
The state DEC says the new ban will cut down on litter, since an estimated 23 billion plastic bags are used each year.