NYC Current

RISE ABOVE PLASTICS.

We are working eliminate single-use plastic bags in NYC and we’re starting with the Queen’s library . . .

We oppose New York City taxpayer money being used on plastic bags given out for free by the Queens Library or any institution funded by New York City. Furthermore, we support a mandatory fee or ban on all single-use plastic bags in New York City to reduce waste and encourage people to shop with reusable bags.

Single-use plastic bag handed out by the Queens Library.

Single-use plastic bags represent one of the greatest environmental catastrophes of our

generation. Around 100 billion petroleum-based plastic checkout bags are used each year in the United States, requiring an estimated 12 million barrels of oil each year. Sadly, less than 5% of these bags are recycled each year and cities, counties, and non-profit organizations must pay millions of dollars each year to clean up plastic litter.

Further, it is estimated that 60–80% of all debris in the ocean is plastic. Plastics take hundreds of years to break down at sea and most types never truly biodegrade. As a result, marine animals often get entangled in the debris or mistake it for food.

Many other cities have taken similar action recently including San Francisco and Portland which both recently passed ordinance bans on plastic bags. It is now time for New York City to demonstrate similar leadership in support of a sustainable future for all people and our natural environment.