The purpose of this law is to improve the environment in the Village of Rye Brook by encouraging the use of reusable checkout bags and banning single-use retail bags. Non-biodegradable plastic bags often end up polluting our open spaces and waterways, clogging sewers, endangering marine life and causing unsightly litter. These bags last hundreds of years in landfills and are a potential source of harmful chemicals when they do break down. This legislation continues Rye Brook’s leadership in protecting our environment for our children by moving away from our “disposable” habit to a “reusable” one