Rochester, N.Y. — Wegmans will stop using plastic bags in its New York stores by the end of this year, ahead of the state ban set to take effect in 2020.

“We want to get out ahead of this because we have a lot to learn from our customers about how we can help them make the shift to reusable bags, which are far better than paper bags for the environment,” Jason Wadsworth, Wegmans packaging and sustainability manager, said in a news release.

New York’s ban on single-use plastic bags takes effect March 1, 2020. The ban was part of the newly passed state budget.

Wegmans announced its move to eliminate plastic bags in New York today along with several other initiatives to cut plastic in its stores. The company plans to replace some in-store plastic with materials made from plant-based fiber and has already switched from plastic straws and drink stirrers to renewable fiber alternatives at all stores and corporate offices.

Overall, the company wants to cut plastic packaging by 2 million pounds this year and 10 million pounds by 2024. Wegmans said it won't count the New York bag ban toward those goals.

New York's ban will apply to all single-use plastic bags provided by stores to carry out goods. It covers any store that collects sales taxes, including groceries, retailers and others.

The ban includes exceptions for bulk items, prepared foods, uncooked meat and some other goods. Bags sold in bulk, trash bags and bags for carryout orders at restaurants are also not covered.

The law gives cities and counties the option to charge a 5-cent fee on paper bags.

Wegmans, based in Rochester, has 99 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts.

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