New York legislation restricts the use of disposable tableware, which will be officially implemented in August 2023
Data show that the world consumes more than 320 million tons of plastic every year, of which 95% is used only once and 14% is recycled. New York City alone has 1.1 million pounds of single-use plastic waste.
New York City spends at least $42 million a year dealing with disposable tableware and container waste, and the massive increase in takeout since the outbreak has exacerbated the burden of waste disposal.
This new bill aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste while reducing restaurant bills. It will be officially implemented in 6 months and will be enforced on July 1, 2024:
First violation fine is $100
A second fine of $200 within 12 months of the first fine
A third fine of $300 within 12 months of the second fine
Similar to the new bill is the ban on plastic bags passed in New York in October 2020, and the ban on disposable foam tableware passed earlier in January 2019.
