Global climate change has already had observable effects on the environment: loss of sea ice, accelerated sea level rise and longer, more intense heat waves. It is in our best interest to stay engaged in understanding how we can take action to protect our environment from the detrimental effects of climate change.
This year, the Ardsley Environmental Task Force has been a driving force in the community, spreading awareness about timely climate issues. In the beginning of the year, their initiative for sorting recyclables in the high school took off. In December, they encouraged Ardsley community members to join the Fridays For Future Climate Strike movement with a rally outside the Ardsley Middle School. Most recently, on February 24, the Ardsley Environmental Task Force and the Conservation & Environmental Advisory Board of Ardsley hosted a question and answer session with county legislators Nancy Jane Shimsky and Nancy Barr. The topic: the plastic bag ban.
According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, over 23 billion plastic bags are used each year in New York State alone. Plastic bag usage affects both our communities and environment. Plastic bags can be seen stuck in trees, as litter in our neighborhoods, and floating in our waterways. Additionally, a plastic bag will remain in the environment for many years. It will not be broken down by microorganisms and is known as non-biodegradable. A major step taken by New York State was the plastic-bag ban, taken into effect on March 1st. A statewide ban on plastic bags means grocery stores, food establishments and other New York businesses must stop using them from March 1, 2020. In New York City consumers will also be charged 5 cents for every paper bag they use. A recent article in the New York Times explained that the ban has proven to be beneficial and effective in other countries and states. Measures have shown that the bans have significantly reduced plastic bag use, and a study in Washington found a 5-cent bag fee there had cut down on plastic pollution in waterways.
There are some exceptions to this ban, though. Plastic can be used for takeout food; uncooked meat or fish and other products that could contaminate items; weighed produce; and prescription drugs. Newspaper bags, garment bags and bags sold in bulk, like trash or recycling bags, are also exempt. Ideally, consumers should bring a bag that is washable and designed for multiple uses. If you forget to bring a bag with you, many retailers will have reusable bags for sale. Although the five cent paper carry-out bag reduction fee applies in NYC, it has not been approved in Westchester County, yet. Also, some stores may choose not to switch to paper and may only have reusable bags for purchase.
We are all used to walking out of stores with handfuls of plastic bags, so this will be a significant change for the lifestyle of many people. There is obviously still a long way to go, but hopefully these initial small steps by the state, and our county, can help mitigate the damage to our environment. In Ardsley, please remember to bring your reusable bags to local stores, sort your recyclables appropriately and spread awareness to other people. We can do our part in this global-scale issue to reduce our carbon footprint to become a greener town overall. After all, it’s our world to share anyways.