The BYO Bag Act resulted in the ban of single use plastic bag distribution at most retail locations in Ulster County. The Act encourages consumers to use reusable bags when buying food or merchandise. This law went into effect on July 15, 2019.
The Ulster County law contains a reverse pre-emption provision and will no longer be in effect on March 1, 2020 when the New York State Bag Waste Reduction Law goes into effect.
At this time, Ulster County has not opted in to the NYS provision requiring consumers be charged a 5 cent fee for each paper carryout bag. However, stores in Ulster County may choose to charge for a recyclable or resusable bag in accord with guidance from the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. In addition since Ulster County has not opted in to the NYS fee, stores in Ulster that choose to charge for bags do not have to follow the mandatory exemption for WIC and SNAP benefit users.
For more information on the NYS Bag Ban, please see the NYS DEC website https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/50034.html or the NYS Dept of Taxation and Finance https://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/st/paper-carryout-bag-fee.htm
For an archive of FAQ on the Ulster County law (no longer in effect March 1, 2020), use the following links:
Please contact BYOBagAct[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us with comments or questions.
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BYOBag Act Resources
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Campaign brochure: For digital viewing / Printable
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Social media information card (4 per page): Social media information
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The Local Laws are available for reference here:
-Local Law #1 of 2019 Amending Local Law #5 of 2018
Resources for Retailers
- Letter to Retailers
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Point-of-Sale Notification: BYOBag Act 1-page flyer
Press Resources
- Ulster County / Ulster County Kicks Off the Bring Your Own Bag Act
- Daily Freeman / Ulster County ban on single-use plastic retail bags takes effect Monday
- Mid Hudson News / Ulster County's single-use plastic bag ban begins Monday
- Daily Freeman / Ulster County lifts paper bag fee for poor
- Photos: 1 / 2
- Radio: PSA (produced by Radio Kingston)