TIMESLEDGER | QNS.8 COM | FEB. 27-MARCH 5, 2020
Flushing Martial Arts Center to
give away 1,000 free reusable
bags ahead of plastic bag ban
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
With the plastic bag ban in New York
City set to take effect March 1, when businesses
will be required to collect a five-cent
fee on paper carryout bags from customers,
a Flushing Martial Arts Center is preparing
to donate free reusable bags to the community.
On Saturday, Feb. 29, Flushing Champions
Martial Arts Taekwondo School will be
hosting a reusable bag giveaway at 10 a.m. at
141-20 Northern Blvd.
“We have 1,000 bags and would love to
give it out to anyone who needs a bag,” said
Michael Ro, owner of Flushing Champions
Martial Arts.
“They will no longer give out plastic bags
and are charging customers to purchase paper
bags and charging even more for reusable
bags from their store,” he added.
Community residents can also pick up a
free usable bag at Councilman Peter Koo’s
giveaway at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the local
Flushing supermarket, SkyFoods at
Skyview Center, located at 4024 College Point
Blvd.
According to the Department of Environmental
Conservation (DEC), all plastic
carryout bags (other than an exempt bag)
are banned from distribution by anyone required
to collect New York state sales tax.
Under the law, customers will be charged
five cents for each paper carryout bag
provided at checkout.
To avoid paying a fee, customers can also
bring in their own reusable bags.
In areas that have adopted the five-cent
paper carryout bag fee, SNAP (Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC
(Women, Infants, and Children, a nutrition
program) recipients are exempt from paying
the fee.
Meanwhile, some bags are exempt under
the law.
Plastic bags may still be distributed to
customers in a few specific circumstances,
such as a bag used by a pharmacy to carry
prescription drugs, and produce bags for
bulk items such as fruits and vegetables.
Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by email
at cmohamed@schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4526.
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