Pay for plastic bags, carry your purchases or purchase reusable bags?

Suffolk County is the first county in New York state to enact a bag fee, but according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, more than 100 cities and towns in the United States have adopted bag laws. In 2014, California became the first state to enact a statewide ban on single-use bags at large stores.

Suffolk County's Department of Health Services will enforce its law. Stores will be penalized $500 for each violation but no fines will be issued through the six-month period ending June 18, as the county works to educate retailers on the law, officials said.