Legislator Parker Announces New Bill To Limit Use of Plastic Bags and Styrofoam By Retailers in County

Westchester Legislator Catherine Parker (D-Rye) announced today the introduction of a new bill she has authored that will limit use of plastic bags and polystyrene foam containers by retail businesses in Westchester County. Plastic bags and polystyrene objects, both of which are nonbiodegradable, are often discarded improperly and end up polluting the environment, clogging sewers and endangering wildlife.

Legislator Parker’s announcement was made a press conference held at the Mamaroneck Town Center, and joining her were a number of environmental advocates and community leaders in support of the new legislation, along with co-sponsors of the new bill from Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL)—Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining) and Legislator MaryJane Shimsky (D-Hastings-on-Hudson), and Legislator Pete Harckham (D-North Salem). Legislator Ken Jenkins (D-Yonkers) was unable to attend the press conference.

“Judging from the prevalence of plastic bags and polystyrene objects as litter and garbage in our environment, this new legislation is long overdue,” said Parker, chair of the BOL Environment & Energy Committee. “When it comes to doing the right thing in terms of safeguarding our environment and natural resources for future generations, there should be no second guessing. In this case, the basic banning of plastic bags and polystyrene from use by retailers make good sense. They are both non-biodegradable, and many biodegradable options are available.”

The new law will regulate the use of checkout bags and expanded polystyrene containers by retailers and food establishments, as well as those establishments that utilize polystyrene (commonly known by its trademarked name Styrofoam) loose fill packaging.

Upon adoption of Parker’s new legislation, retailers will have to provide only reusable bags and / or recyclable paper bags as checkout bags. Violators, after a hearing, are liable for fines up to $500. In regard to polystyrene, the new law will restrict retailers and food establishments from using objects made of the chemically-produced material for containers and loose fill packaging, with potential penalties for violators similarly to the plastic bag restrictions.

The plastic bag restrictions will not include plastic produce bags, garment bags or large-sized (measuring 28” by 36” or greater) refuse bags.

While a member of the Rye City Council, Legislator Parker, now chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) Environment & Energy Committee, helped pass a City Ordinance that encouraged use of reusable checkout bags and banned use of plastic bags for retail checkout of purchased goods.

“This legislation is a natural next step in a cultural shift towards reusable items into our lifestyle,” said Borgia. “In Ossining, the Farmers’ Market has banned the use of plastic bags and community members are embracing this new habit. We are all moving towards integrating the concepts of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ into our daily lives.”

“This seriously advances a movement toward smart environmental policy for our towns and municipalities, many of which worry about defending their own bans on these materials,” said Shimsky, chair of the BOL Infrastructure Committee. “A county-wide, umbrella approach to fighting pollution gives greater emphasis on the importance of the challenges ahead in terms of leaving our planet in better shape for future generations.”

Legislator Shimsky noted that the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson was now in court defending its ban on plastic bags.

“It has not been demonstrated that banning plastic bags and Styrofoam will end up costing consumers more money or jeopardizing jobs,” said Harckham chair of the BOL Labor, Parks, Planning & Housing Committee. “From what I know, it’ll actually reduce the amount of garbage—and the cost of keeping our villages and towns clean, which taxpayers will be glad to hear. Encouraging the use of reusable bags is both practical and a good sustainable practice.”

In September 2014, California became the first U.S. state to prohibit retails from using plastic bags. Every year Americans use 100 billion plastic bags and only 15% are recycled.

“It makes sense for a larger and more regional level of government to address this issue and take action, which will support the efforts of all the municipalities in the county,” remarked Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson.

Also attending the press conference was thirteen-year-old Katie Yacoub, a Girl Scout Cadette in Troop 2520 from Eastchester / Tuckahoe. She is working on her Girl Scout Silver Award and leading a project to the use of retail bags in Eastchester, NY, by raising money and purchasing 500 reusable bags and giving them to residents for use.

“The Girl Scout Law says that we should make the world a better place,” said Yacoub “This is something I strongly believe in. And it’s up to my generation to make these changes. Passing this law is definitely a step in the right direction.”

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