New York: plastic bag ban takes effect to address ‘environmental blights’

Businesses will no longer be allowed to provide or sell plastic bags in third state after California and Oregon to enforce ban

Every year, New York state gets through a staggering 23bn plastic bags - the vast majority of which end up in landfill or polluting streets, green spaces and waterways.

But it is hoped the single-use carriers will become a relic, now a long-awaited state-wide ban on single use plastic bags has come into force.