Should Local Businesses Charge a Fee for Disposable Bags?

Should Greenburgh impose a fee for shoppers to utilize plastic or paper disposable bags at large retailers?

The Town's Conservation Advisory Council is asking the local government to consider making such a law, according to Supervisor Paul Feiner.

Feiner said the Town is looking for feedback from locals about discouraging the use of paper and plastic bags in favor of locals bringing their own reusable bags when shopping.

Westchester County municipalities including Larchmont, Rye and the Village of Mamaroneck have enacted degrees of plastic bag bans in recent years, while others like Pleasantville are considering similar measures.

"We have reviewed and discussed a number of articles and laws of other localities, and have held a joint meeting with the Tarrytown CAC who is also considering this issue," the CAC's Mike Sigal said in a note to Feiner. "Our tentative conclusion is that a fee for all disposable bags, both plastic and paper, is proper and the right way to go environmentally."

The CAC said a law could "impose a fee for large retailers giving out disposable bags, either plastic or paper bags, and a 50%/50% split with the retailers."

The fee would be "in the ballpark" of about $0.10 per bag and would only apply to larger retailers initially.

"And, hopefully, over time, the fee will cause consumers to think about this practice and the overall use of plastic and paper bags will go down," Sigal said.

Feiner asks any residents who want to weigh in on the topic email townboard@greenburghny.com.