A ban on single-use plastic bags goes into effect in West Hollywood today for stores (including clothing stores and newsstands) larger than 10,000 square feet. The gradual rollout gives smaller stores until August 20 to comply. Shoppers must either bring reusable bags, or buy paper bags made with at least 40% post-consumer recycled content for 10 cents.
This ban is just one of many in effect, or being debated, across the country as the negative effects of plastic bag use are increasingly being highlighted.
A Sacramento City Council subcommittee is also considering the issue, yesterday asking city staff to begin drafting an ordinance that would ban the bags and place a 5-cent or 10-cent charge on paper shopping bags.
Also on the table is a statewide ban of plastic bags in Rhode Island. Their proposed law would be the first of its kind in the US and would dovetail a ban already in effect in Barrington, RI.
