For Wegmans shoppers, the ban on plastic bags began Monday.

The chain's discontinuation of the bags comes ahead of a statewide ban that takes effect March 1.

What it means for you

Wegmans will no longer provide single-use plastic bags at its New York state stores and will charge 5 cents per paper grocery bag.

Wegmans will still pack a very limited number of items in plastic bags — uncooked meat; sliced, prepared or takeout foods; bulk items; newspapers and prescription drugs.

Instacart orders will be packed in paper bags, and customers will not be charged the 5-cent-per-bag fee, a Wegmans spokespersons said.

Your used plastic bags still an option

Wegmans has said its goal is to shift all customers to reusable bags, as “the best option to solve the environmental challenge of single-use grocery bags.”

“By adding a charge for each paper bag, our hope is to incentivize the adoption of reusable bags, and in time, achieve our goal of eliminating all single-use bags,” said Jason Wadsworth, Wegmans packaging and sustainability manager.

But based on feedback, Wegmans said it also will pack groceries in used plastic bags that customers bring to stores.

If people want their purchases packed in old plastic bags, "that's what we'll do," said spokeswoman Deana Percassi. "We're Wegmans, and we're not going to flat-out say no."

Percassi said the option will be offered indefinitely, even after statewide ban goes into effect.

People who don't bring reusable or old plastic bags with them will have their groceries packed in paper bags.

Why is a plastic bag ban being imposed in NY?

The state ban on plastic bags takes effect March 1, and it allows counties and cities to charge 5 cents if a customer wants a paper bag at the checkout aisle.

The goal is to cut down on plastic and paper waste and encourage shoppers to use recyclable bags.

While at least half of the counties have indicated they will not impose a 5-cent fee, businesses impacted by the ban can enact their own 5-cent fee.

Earlier this month, newly sworn-in Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said in a statement he has no plans to reverse course.

"I believe strongly in the need for our community to lead the way in environmental protection and taking steps to mitigate the effects of our changing climate. The state ban on the use of plastic bags that will go into effect in the coming year is a step in the right direction," he said. However, "While I’m in favor of efforts to encourage the use of reusable bags, adding another fee is not the right way to go about it."

Wegmans initially opposed the ban

“It has long been Wegmans’ position that unintended consequences come from banning anything,” it said in April 2018, adding that a plastic-bag ban would “likely lead to an increase in the use of paper bags, which is not what’s best for the environment.

"Paper bags are heavier and take up more space; it takes seven tractor trailers to transport the same number of paper bags as plastic bags carried by one tractor trailer. It also takes about 90 percent more resources and energy to make and recycle paper compared to plastic.”

If the governments do impose the fee, the revenue goes back to the state and the municipalities: Local governments can keep 2 cents per bag to fund the distribution of reusable bags; the remaining 3 cents would go to the state's Environmental Protection Fund.

If the businesses do it in counties that do not impose the fee, the companies can keep the money.

Money collected from the paper-bag charge at Wegmans will be donated to local food banks, the company said.

Rarely seen photos of Wegmans through the years

MGREENWO@Gannett.com