A new law went into effect in the state of New York in an effort to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags in stores.

Grocery stores and other shops have less than a month to enforce the ban of plastic bags. If they violate the law, they will get a warning. However, if it happens again, they will face a fine.

Grocery stores and food establishments can still use plastic bags for unpacked meats and takeout food.

Officials want to reduce the amount of plastic bags that accumulate across the state. They say that more than 23 billion plastic bags are used in New York every year.

Difficult words: enforce (to implement), violate (to break a rule or formal agreement), accumulate (to increase gradually in quantity).