Walmart Eliminates Single-Use Bags In New York Stores

NEW YORK — Walmart is eliminating single-use paper bags in all its New York stores, starting Wednesday, the retail franchise announced. The bags will no longer be provided at checkout or pickup.

Walmart sells reusable bags and containers throughout the store and at registers. Store signage, social media posts and the Walmart app will remind customers to bring reusable bags with them.

“Eliminating single-use bags in New York is part of our effort to reduce waste,” Jane Ewing, senior vice president of Walmart Sustainability, said in a statement. “Our customers want to be engaged on this journey and we remain committed to making the sustainable choice the everyday choice.”

Walmart delivery will continue to use paper bags given New York state’s ban on single-use plastic bags. However, customers will have the option to purchase reusable bags for their delivery.

Walmart will also have recycling containers for plastic and reusable bags.

The franchise also eliminated single-use paper and plastic bags at its stores in Canada, Mexico, Vermont, Maine, New Jersey, Colorado and Connecticut.

The company anticipates it will avoid using more than 1.2 billion plastic and paper bags every year given the decision to eliminate single-use bags in the six U.S. states.

New York banned plastic bags for most uses in 2020, tasking the New York Department of Environmental Conservation with implementing it. Advocates against plastic bags say they pollute streets and waterways and block storm drains.

There are exemptions, with plastic bags being used for wrapping uncooked meat, fish or plant-based items; food prepared to order; newspaper deliveries; trash bags; storage bags; reusable bags; and more.