The state's coming ban on single-use plastic bags took a step forward on Monday as state environmental officials issued regulations for the implementation of the new law.

The ban, approved by state lawmakers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo last year, is set to officially take effect on March 14.

Major supermarket chains in New York have already started the process, meanwhile, of phasing out single-use plastic bags in favor of reusable bags.

The ban was approved in order to cut down on a major and commonplace source of pollution and a contributor to climate change, given the petroleum used to manufacture consumer plastic.

At first blush, the regulations released by the Department of Environmental Conservation are not demonstrably different than what had been initially proposed by state officials.

Still, there was early criticism of the regulations, including their quiet release on President's Day when many people were not at work or taking mid-winter vacations.

Matt Seaholm, the executive director of the American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance, criticized the lack of significant changes in the regulations. His group has raised concerns over a potential paper bag shortage.

“The state has refused to heed the concerns of retailers and shoppers who say there’s been insufficient outreach to explain the ban and also are worried about a looming paper bag shortage and questionable availability of reusable bags from China due to supply chain disruptions," he said.