Shopping with plastic bags could soon be a thing of the past in New York, if Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to ban single-use plastic bags is passed in the legislature. 

Many shoppers said they would be for the change. 

“It’s bad for the environment and causes a tremendous amount of pollution, and is bad for the animals,” Kamala McMara, a Corning resident, said. 

“I think it would be beneficial because they go to waste and it would help out the environment,” Nick Dolley, another Corning resident said. 

“I think it’s a really good idea because we don’t need the plastic bags and can bring our own,” Tiffany Philip-Speicher, a Corning resident said. 

However, others said that some shoppers do not have the same luxury to spend the extra money on re-usable bags. 

“I work for AIM independent living center and we work with a wide variety of individuals from poor to middle class,” Erin Moresman, a Corning resident said. “It would have an impact on many elderly people who have a fixed income and those who are in poverty.” 

Moresman said that with no stipend, it could be a hardship on many individuals, especially in this area. 

“They’re living month to month on incomes that are barely buying groceries and then you are asking them to purchase bags as well,” she said. 

If the bill is passed, it would go into effect on January 1, 2019 

10 cities, towns, and villages in New York already have plastic bag bans. The state said New York residents use 23 billion plastic bags each year.