Updates the definition of the term "reusable bag", as used in the environmental conservation law, to specify minimum material and durability standards.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A7759
SPONSOR: Burdick TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
updating the definition of the term "reusable bag"
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
The purpose of this bill is to update the definition of a "reusable bag"
to include bags made from plastic that can be recycled.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 expands the definition of "reusable bags."
Section 2 sets the effective date.
JUSTIFICATION:
Since New York's plastic bag ban was enacted, there has been consider-
able discussion about what qualifies as an appropriate "reusable bag."
The current law prohibits a reusable bag from being primarily made of
post-consumer recycled plastic, even if the bag is fully recyclable. New
York is the only state with this restriction.
This bill expands the definition of a reusable bag to include those made
of at least 80% recycled content, provided they are fully recyclable.
These bags are made from post-consumer recycled plastic, repurposing
single-use plastic items like shrink wrap, stretch film, mailer bags,
and other LDPE plastics. By upcycling these materials into durable
products, we prevent them from entering the waste stream and create a
closed-loop system for their lifecycle.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-2024: A09942 / S08886
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None to the State.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
30 days after becoming law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7759
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
April 8, 2025
___________
Introduced by M. of A. BURDICK, SIMONE -- read once and referred to the
Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to
updating the definition of the term "reusable bag"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 5 of section 27-2701 of the environmental
2 conservation law, as added by chapter 641 of the laws of 2008, is
3 amended to read as follows:
4 5. "Reusable bag" means[:
5 (a) a bag made of cloth or other machine washable fabric that has
6 handles; or
7 (b) a durable plastic bag with handles that is specifically] a bag
8 that is designed and manufactured for multiple reuse, and that:
9 (a) is made of:
10 (i) cloth or other machine washable fabric;
11 (ii) non-film washable material; or
12 (iii) hand washable or machine washable cloth or fabric, including
13 woven or nonwoven polypropylene, polyethylene-terephthalate, polyethy-
14 lene made of at least eighty percent recycled material and that is
15 recyclable, polyester, or nylon fabric, or a fabric blend that includes
16 any such material;
17 (b) has at least one strap or handle that does not stretch and is
18 fastened to such bag in such a manner that allows such bag to meet the
19 strength and durability standards under paragraph (c) of this subdivi-
20 sion;
21 (c) has a minimum lifespan of one hundred twenty-five uses, with a use
22 equal to the ability to carry a minimum of twenty-two pounds over a
23 distance of at least one hundred seventy-five feet; and
24 (d) has a minimum fabric weight of eighty grams per square meter or
25 equivalent for bags made of any non-film plastic of natural, synthetic,
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02715-01-5
A. 7759 2
1 petroleum-based or non-petroleum-based origin, including woven or non-
2 woven polypropylene, polyethylene-terephthalate, cotton, jute, or
3 canvas.
4 § 2. This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall
5 have become a law.
