CANTON -- Beginning Aug. 1, all New York Price Chopper, Market Bistro and Market 32 stores will once again ban thin film plastic bags, in compliance with the environmentally conscious New York State law that was implemented shortly before quarantine began.

Price Chopper stores are found locally in Canton, Potsdam, Gouverneur, Ogdensburg and Massena.

The company removed plastic bags from its stores when New York’s law went into effect on March 1, but then brought them back by the end of that month because paper bags were growing scarce and some customers said they felt safer using disposable bags. In an effort to protect teammates and customers alike, those who brought reusable bags to the stores were asked to pack their own groceries.

On Aug. 1, the chain’s teammates will resume packing reusable bags for customers.

Although disposable paper bags can be purchased – five cents for handle-less ones and 15 cents for handled ones – the availability of heavy duty reusables for as little as fifty cents and the ability to apply AdvantEdge Rewards points toward earning free bags emphasize the chain’s efforts to encourage the conversion to reusables.