On August 27, 2020, Matt Seaholm, former executive director of the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance, joined the Paul Vandenburgh Show on Talk1300 to discuss New York’s plastic bag ban. In the interview, Seaholm explains that retailers are confused about what bags are allowed and frustrated because the law would increase their costs during a public health crisis.

If the law is enforced as-is, only paper or cotton bags will be allowed in New York. However, there is not an adequate supply of either product, so stores would likely not have any bags to provide consumers. The Legislature has the opportunity to fix the law and find a workable solution for both retailers and consumers.