Over the weekend, New York Governer David Patterson signed legislation requiring large retail stores to recycle plastic carry-out bags.
The legislation defines large stores as those with over 10,000 square feet of space or 50,000 square feet of space in a mall. Chains with over five stores in the state that each have more than 5,000 suare feet are also included.
Companies that do not comply with the law will receive fines from the state's Department of Environmental Conservation. First offenses will prompt warnings from the state, second offenses will receive fines of up to $100, and all other offenses will incur fines of up to $500. All fines collected will go into the NY environmental protection fund.
The new law will go into effect on January 1, 2009.
Hopefully, Patterson's legislation will inspire other states to follow suit and shape up their recycling programs.