IN-STORE PLASTIC BAG RECYCLING REQUIRED BY NEW COUNTY LAW

Oct. 13 law affects stores larger than 10,000 sq. ft.

Beginning Monday, October 13,  a new County Law will require all large stores in Westchester that uses plastic to bag its consumer goods to have an in-house recycling program up and running. The law requires any retailer that provides plastic carry-out bags to its customers and occupies more than 10,000 square feet to have an in-store recycling program. That means placing a “visible” clearly marked collection bin near the entrance and then finding a way to transport and recycle them.

Plastic bags are damaging to the environment not only because they pile up in landfills and litter the landscape but also because they are made from polyethylene, a petroleum product, which may take as long as 500 years to degrade.

For more information on recycling, visit www.westchestergov.com/recycling or call 211.