This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/31/nyregion/styrofoam-ban-new-laws-ny.html

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
A Long-Awaited Ban on Foam, and Other New Laws in New York in 2019 A Long-Awaited Ban on Foam, and Other New Laws in New York in 2019
(2 days later)
[What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.][What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.]
A note to New Yorkers waking up in a stupor on New Year’s Day: Foam food containers are so last year.A note to New Yorkers waking up in a stupor on New Year’s Day: Foam food containers are so last year.
New York City’s ban on the single-use plastic clamshells that have long been favored by takeout joints and halal carts will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019.New York City’s ban on the single-use plastic clamshells that have long been favored by takeout joints and halal carts will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019.
Foam cups, plates, bowls and packing peanuts will also be prohibited.Foam cups, plates, bowls and packing peanuts will also be prohibited.
The ban is only one of several changes in the city and New York state that will take effect once the ball drops in Times Square. Here’s a look at some — but not all — of the new laws coming into effect in 2019.The ban is only one of several changes in the city and New York state that will take effect once the ball drops in Times Square. Here’s a look at some — but not all — of the new laws coming into effect in 2019.
As 2019 begins, minimum-wage employees across the state can look forward to bigger paychecks.As 2019 begins, minimum-wage employees across the state can look forward to bigger paychecks.
The biggest increase will be in New York City, where employees working at companies with more than 10 workers (for example, fast-food spots) will have their lowest legal pay rate rise by $2 to $15 an hour.The biggest increase will be in New York City, where employees working at companies with more than 10 workers (for example, fast-food spots) will have their lowest legal pay rate rise by $2 to $15 an hour.
Employees at smaller companies in the city will get a raise of $1.50, to $13.50 an hour. In Westchester County and Long Island, rates go from $11 to $12, and they’re rising from $10.40 to $11.10 in the rest of the state.Employees at smaller companies in the city will get a raise of $1.50, to $13.50 an hour. In Westchester County and Long Island, rates go from $11 to $12, and they’re rising from $10.40 to $11.10 in the rest of the state.
The wage hikes have put New York in the midst of a movement to raise minimum wages across the United States. The federally mandated rate is currently $7.25.The wage hikes have put New York in the midst of a movement to raise minimum wages across the United States. The federally mandated rate is currently $7.25.
Baby New Year will have a more difficult time finding a place to buy cigarettes in the city when she turns 18. Baby New Year will have a more difficult time finding a place to buy cigarettes in the city when she turns 21.
Starting Jan. 1, pharmacies in all five boroughs will not be allowed to sell tobacco products. That includes big-box stores and supermarkets that have pharmacies.Starting Jan. 1, pharmacies in all five boroughs will not be allowed to sell tobacco products. That includes big-box stores and supermarkets that have pharmacies.
“People trust pharmacies to help them stay well,” the deputy mayor for health and human services, Herminia Palacio, said in a statement last week. “They should be helping smokers quit, not the opposite.”“People trust pharmacies to help them stay well,” the deputy mayor for health and human services, Herminia Palacio, said in a statement last week. “They should be helping smokers quit, not the opposite.”
The change is a result of a package of bills that Mayor Bill de Blasio signed in 2017 after anti-tobacco activists criticized the mayor for not aggressively combating smoking. Under the same laws, the city banned the sale of e-cigarettes in pharmacies in August.The change is a result of a package of bills that Mayor Bill de Blasio signed in 2017 after anti-tobacco activists criticized the mayor for not aggressively combating smoking. Under the same laws, the city banned the sale of e-cigarettes in pharmacies in August.
About 500 pharmacies in the city that still sell tobacco products will be affected, the statement said.About 500 pharmacies in the city that still sell tobacco products will be affected, the statement said.
Beginning in 2019, New York City will allow people who do not identify as male or female to change the gender markers on their birth certificates to a nonbinary option.Beginning in 2019, New York City will allow people who do not identify as male or female to change the gender markers on their birth certificates to a nonbinary option.
In addition to the standard gender markers of “M” and “F,” birth certificates will also add “X,” a gender-neutral marker.In addition to the standard gender markers of “M” and “F,” birth certificates will also add “X,” a gender-neutral marker.
The “X,” meant to stand for a gender identity not exclusively male or female, will set the city’s documents apart from those issued in the rest of the state, which does not offer nonbinary options.The “X,” meant to stand for a gender identity not exclusively male or female, will set the city’s documents apart from those issued in the rest of the state, which does not offer nonbinary options.
It may also put the birth certificates in conflict with identification issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles and federal agencies, like driver’s licenses, passports and Social Security cards.It may also put the birth certificates in conflict with identification issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles and federal agencies, like driver’s licenses, passports and Social Security cards.
The same law adding the “X” option will also permit people to change the sex on their birth certificates without notes from medical professionals, a shift welcomed by transgender rights advocates.The same law adding the “X” option will also permit people to change the sex on their birth certificates without notes from medical professionals, a shift welcomed by transgender rights advocates.
A reminder for New York parents on diaper duty: A law that goes into effect on Tuesday will require wider access to changing tables.A reminder for New York parents on diaper duty: A law that goes into effect on Tuesday will require wider access to changing tables.
The bill, which was signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in April, will ensure that new and renovated buildings with public bathrooms have changing tables in both men’s and women’s restrooms.The bill, which was signed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in April, will ensure that new and renovated buildings with public bathrooms have changing tables in both men’s and women’s restrooms.
Under the legislation, at least one changing table must be accessible to both genders on each floor.Under the legislation, at least one changing table must be accessible to both genders on each floor.
Previously, state law had not required changing tables in public bathrooms. In a statement announcing the new law in April, Mr. Cuomo’s office said that changing tables, when available, were disproportionately only available in women’s rooms.Previously, state law had not required changing tables in public bathrooms. In a statement announcing the new law in April, Mr. Cuomo’s office said that changing tables, when available, were disproportionately only available in women’s rooms.
Under the New York State Paid Family Leave act, which the governor signed in 2016, workers will now get 10 weeks of paid time off to bond with a newborn, adopted or fostered child; to care for family members with serious health conditions; or to address issues related to a family member’s military deployment.Under the New York State Paid Family Leave act, which the governor signed in 2016, workers will now get 10 weeks of paid time off to bond with a newborn, adopted or fostered child; to care for family members with serious health conditions; or to address issues related to a family member’s military deployment.
The law is part of a gradual increase in salaried time off that began in 2018, when workers were eligible for eight weeks of paid family leave.The law is part of a gradual increase in salaried time off that began in 2018, when workers were eligible for eight weeks of paid family leave.
The increases will end in 2021, when New York residents will get 12 weeks of paid family leave.The increases will end in 2021, when New York residents will get 12 weeks of paid family leave.
Don’t expect plastic-foam clamshells to disappear at midnight.Don’t expect plastic-foam clamshells to disappear at midnight.
For one thing, they are notoriously tough to get rid of. The material is not biodegradable, and it is tough to recycle. It can also fracture into small pieces — as anyone who has had to clean up packing peanuts may know — that can lurk in landfills.For one thing, they are notoriously tough to get rid of. The material is not biodegradable, and it is tough to recycle. It can also fracture into small pieces — as anyone who has had to clean up packing peanuts may know — that can lurk in landfills.
Also, while businesses are expected to stop using the foam on Jan. 1, the city will not start fining vendors until July 1. Until then, businesses who still use plastic foam packaging will receive warnings.Also, while businesses are expected to stop using the foam on Jan. 1, the city will not start fining vendors until July 1. Until then, businesses who still use plastic foam packaging will receive warnings.
That said, businesses have in some ways had a head start on switching to alternative plastic-based or paper containers. The city’s ban on foam was first proposed by former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2013 before Mr. de Blasio put the foam prohibition into effect in July 2015.That said, businesses have in some ways had a head start on switching to alternative plastic-based or paper containers. The city’s ban on foam was first proposed by former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg in 2013 before Mr. de Blasio put the foam prohibition into effect in July 2015.
Mr. de Blasio’s victory was initially short-lived. The ban was halted just three months after it took effect after a coalition of restaurant owners, manufacturers and recyclers successfully sued the city. That group offered a plan to recycle the plastic foam containers, and the judge in the case ruled that the city had not provided enough evidence that the material could not be recycled.Mr. de Blasio’s victory was initially short-lived. The ban was halted just three months after it took effect after a coalition of restaurant owners, manufacturers and recyclers successfully sued the city. That group offered a plan to recycle the plastic foam containers, and the judge in the case ruled that the city had not provided enough evidence that the material could not be recycled.
The city tried to reinstate the ban in 2017 after issuing a new report that said there was no “economically feasible or environmentally effective” way to recycle the material. The coalition sued again, but this time, a judge sided with the city.The city tried to reinstate the ban in 2017 after issuing a new report that said there was no “economically feasible or environmentally effective” way to recycle the material. The coalition sued again, but this time, a judge sided with the city.
And so Mr. de Blasio’s so-called Styrofoam ban — a misnomer, since Styrofoam is a product made by Dow Chemical that is not used in disposable food containers — will take effect.And so Mr. de Blasio’s so-called Styrofoam ban — a misnomer, since Styrofoam is a product made by Dow Chemical that is not used in disposable food containers — will take effect.