Large, Chain Stores Must Recycle Plastic Bags

Plastic bag recycling will be required in large stores and chains across the city under legislation signed into law by Mayor Bloomberg yesterday.

"It is important to take as many steps as we can to recycle plastic bags," Mr. Bloomberg said at a public hearing yesterday. "They are not biodegradable, but instead break down into small pieces that pollute the water and soil. Due to their light weight, plastic bags can easily escape from our sanitation system – even when properly disposed of – winding up in trees, waterways, and as litter in our neighborhoods."

At the same session, the mayor signed legislation extending his deadline to submit a preliminary budget by about a week and extending his deadline for a preliminary management report by two weeks.