East Hampton Town Adopts Plastic Bag Ban

East Hampton Town announced on Tuesday that they have adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags which will go into effect on September 22.

The new local law has been created in order to make a significant environmental impact in the area.

The neighboring municipalities – East Hampton Village, Southampton Town, Sagaponack Village, Southampton Village and others- have all worked jointly to adopt this legislation.

The goal is to eliminate single-use plastic bags and to encourage residents to bring their own bags.

A few key components of the local law are:

• Only the single-use plastic bags typically issued at checkout are banned.
• Produce bags are not banned.
• Plastic bags that are 2.25 mils thick or greater are considered reusable bags, and are not banned.
• Paper bags are permitted as long as they are 100% recycled material and display the words “recyclable” or “reusable.”

“It is one step towards solving the bigger problem of environmental deterioration and climate change.” Councilwoman Sylvia Overby, who sponsored the legislation, said. “Locally, litter along our streets, woodland trails and surface waters, as well as the impacts to wildlife, will be reduced.”

For further information, contact John Sousa-Botos at 631-324-0496 or jbotos@ehamptonny.gov