Nearly two years after the statewide plastic bag ban took effect, many stores - especially in NYC - continue to hand out plastic bags, despite ongoing citizen reporting of violations to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

At the same time, New York City residents find it difficult to impossible to redeem deposit containers, especially in Manhattan. If deposit containers aren't redeemed, they are much less likely to be recycled, and residents are effectively taxed for the deposit money they pay on beverage conatiners they can't return.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation can change this by enforcing these important environmental laws. Join us on Thursday, July 20 at 11am for a press conference at DEC Region 2 Headquarters, 21st Street Long Island City (near the 21st Metro Station). There we will deliver a letter to DEC staff and urge them to take immediate action. Fill out the form to the right to sign the letter to DEC and RSVP to attend the press conference. (Click here to read the full letter).

Please bring plastic bags, deposit containers, and signs for the event.