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Report a Plastic Bag Law Violation

Plastic Bag Ban and Film Plastic Recycling Complaint Form

This form is for complaints related to the NYS Bag Waste Reduction Law, the Plastic Bag Reduction, Reuse & Recycling Law and the corresponding regulations (6 NYCRR Part 351).

Complaint Details


Complaint Type
  • Complaint type (select all that apply)
  • Store/business is distributing plastic carryout bags to customers that are not exempt bags. View a full list of exempt bags.
    Store/business is charging for plastic carryout bags at checkout.
    Store/business is not allowing customers to use a bag of any kind that the customer has brought for carrying their goods.
    The store/business does not make reusable bags available within the store for purchase.
    The store/business does not have a plastic film recycling bin for plastic carryout bags and other film plastics.
    Other (please describe below)


Pictures or video supporting your complaint should be sent to plasticbags@dec.ny.gov with "Plastic Bag Ban/Film Plastic Recycling Violation" in the subject line. Please provide enough information in the email to match it to your complaint form and use the same email address to submit your pictures or video that you list in your contact information below.
I will be submitting supporting pictures or video.


Complainant Contact Information

You may file a complaint anonymously by leaving this information blank. If you do so, DEC cannot provide you with feedback and if there is insufficient information, we may not be able to investigate the complaint.



  • Contact for this Page
  • Division of Materials Management
    Bureau of Waste Reduction & Recycling
    625 Broadway
    Albany, NY 12233-7253
    518-402-8706
    Send us an email
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  • Page applies to all NYS regions