The Dutchess County Legislature is considering a proposal to require large retailers to provide receptacles so shoppers can recycling their plastic shopping bags, according to the Kingston Daily Freeman.

Legislator Joel TynerThe proposal, spearheaded by Legislator Joel Tyner (D-Clinton), would affect stores measuring 10,000 square feet or more. Shoppers could recycle all kinds of plastic film, including dry cleaning plastic. Stores measuring 20,000 square feet and more would also be required to sell canvas bags as an alternative to plastic.

The legislation is modeled on initiatives that recently passed in New York City and Westchester County.

Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide. The vast majority are not recycled (over 99 percent), and end up in landfills or become airborne litter that clutters our landscape and harms wildlife. The production of plastic bags consumes far less energy and water than paper bags, but plastic bags do not biodegrade. In addition, plastics bags - which are made from petroleum - consume a nonrenewable and dwindling natural resource.