NYLCV APPLAUDS NYC COUNCIL FOR PASSING THE CARRYOUT BAG BILL
BILL MOVES TO MAYOR'S DESK AFTER 28-20 VOTE IN FAVOR
Today the New York City Council passed Intro-209, the Carryout Bags Bill, by a vote of 28-20. NYLCV has long advocated for the bill, making it a priority bill in its last two NYC Council scorecards and sending thousands of petition signatures to council members and the mayor. In response, Marcia Bystryn, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters issued the following statement:
"Carryout bags are not free. Every New Yorker pays when we see our trees, streets, playgrounds, waterways and beaches littered with plastic bags. Taxpayers spend $12 million a year just to truck bags to landfills, which drive through low-income communities of color to transfer stations, contributing to air pollution and causing increased asthma rates along the way. A shopper uses a disposable bag on average for just minutes, while the toll on the environment lasts for decades.
"New Yorkers can pause for a second at the register. When asked if they need a carryout bag, the choice will be theirs. That pause will make a world of difference for cleaner streets, a greener city and a healthy environment.
"As the largest city in the United States, New York City just took a bold step toward joining the dozens of other municipalities that have already adopted legislation restricting the use of these bags. We thank Council Members Lander and Chin for their tireless advocacy, and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for her leadership in shepherding the bill through the Council. We look forward to working with Mayor de Blasio to ensure successful implementation."
EDITOR"S NOTE
Before we celebrate to much, there is talk that the state legislature, which has the power to, may convene to overturn this bill which still has not been signed into law by Mayor Bill de Blasio. If he is still mayor by the time the signing comes around.
