Wegmans is getting a jump on New York state's new law banning retailers from using single-use plastic bags. The law takes effect March 1 but as of Monday, they are no longer available at Wegmans. At the grocer's Amherst Street store in Buffalo, Kathleen Shapiro said she forgot her reusable bags so the cashier charged her for two paper bags. Shapiro says she "feels good about" paying a 5-cent fee on each paper bag.
"It's a win-win situation. It goes to charity and it saves on the plastic bags. So I have no problem with it at all," Shapiro said.
Wegmans is donating the bag fees it collects to local food pantries.
Nick Brooks also left the company's Amherst Street store with groceries in paper bags. Brooks says he would rather pay for paper than use plastic.
"People will adapt. I think if you take them away people will find a better way to handle their pet waste or whatever they've got to use plastic bags for. I think it's for the best, ulimately."
In signing the law last year, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, plastic bags can be found just about everywhere outdoors and "there is no doubt they're doing tremendous damage." Cuomo says the bag ban will put "an end to this blight on the environment."
