NEW YORK — Walmart will eliminate single-use paper bags at all New York stores starting Wednesday, the retail franchise said. Bags will no longer be provided at checkout or pickup.
Walmart sells reusable bags and containers throughout stores and at checkouts. Store signs, social media posts, and Walmart apps encourage customers to bring their own reusable bags.
“Eliminating single-use bags in New York City is part of our commitment to reducing waste,” said Jane Ewing, senior vice president of Walmart Sustainability, in a statement. We believe, and we remain committed to making sustainable choices our everyday choices.”
Walmart will continue to use paper bags in its deliveries because New York state has banned single-use plastic bags. However, customers have the option to purchase reusable bags for shipping.
Walmart also has recycling containers for plastic and reusable bags.
The franchise has also eliminated single-use paper and plastic bags at its stores in Canada, Mexico, Vermont, Maine, New Jersey, Colorado and Connecticut.
The company expects to avoid the use of more than 1.2 billion plastic and paper bags each year as a result of the decision to ban single-use bags in six U.S. states.
New York State will ban plastic bags in most uses in 2020 and mandate the New York Department of Environmental Conservation to implement them. Opponents of plastic bags say they pollute streets and waterways and block storm drains.
There are exceptions where plastic bags are used to wrap uncooked meat, fish or plant-based products. Food cooked to order. Newspaper delivery; Trash bags; Storage bags; Reusable bags;
