Suffolk Executive Wants Part Of Plastic Bag Fee To Go To Environmental Causes

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The signing of a proposed law in Suffolk County that would charge consumers a nickel per bag at the grocery store is being delayed for environmental reasons.

As WCBS 880's Mike Xirinachs reported, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone wants two cents of the county's nickel-per-bag legislation to go to environmental causes.

Bellone said he wanted the sum to go "towards any of the anti-littering programs or water quality programs. But something that puts those funds to good use."

The new request could require state legislation – something Bellone said could be achieved without delaying the program's planned implementation.

He said it is the right thing to do.

"The revenue collected going towards environmental causes -- something that makes sense -- and that's what we're working towards," Bellone said.

Under the current proposal, the stores get to keep the money. The law does not apply to bags without handles or those used for items like produce, meat or chicken.