New York Gov. David Paterson has signed legislation to implement statewide plastic bag recycling at all large grocery store chains and large retailers. The new law expands on similar recycling legislation passed earlier this year in New York City.

"This is a significant victory for New York's citizens and the environment," said Sharon Kneiss, vice president of the Arlington, Va.-based American Chemistry Council's Products Divisions, in a press release. "The new law creates one consistent standard statewide that all municipalities can follow, while allowing existing programs to continue uninterrupted."