NEW YORK STATE (WENY) -- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will begin enforcement of the State's ban on single-use plastic carryout bags.

DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos announced Friday, the DEC will begin enforcement on October 19th. The DEC says the plastic bag ban, which went into effect on March 1st, was not enforced per an agreement between the parties in a lawsuit brought by Poly-Pak Industries, Inc. in the New York State Supreme Court. Currently, the DEC is conducting extensive outreach to notify stakeholders the start of the enforcement. This includes, grocery stores, retailers and other businesses. 

The DEC continues to encourage New Yorkers to use reusable bags when they're shopping with the #BYOBagNY campaign. The campaign was launched earlier this year. 

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