In recent years, a growing number of cities all over the country have been moving to put an end to — or at least curb — the use of plastic shopping bags. Last night, in a unanimous vote, the Portland, OR, City Council approved legislation that bans the use of these bags at larger grocery stores and big-box retailers.

More precisely, the Portland ban, scheduled to take effect on October 15, will forbid plastic bags in grocery stores with $2 million or more in gross annual sales. Also affected are stores with pharmacies and at least 10,000 square feet of space. The ban is only on those bags used at checkout. Plastic bags for individual produce, meat or bulk items will still be allowed.

The state of Oregon had previously tried — and failed — to impose a mandatory fee on paper shopping bags in an effort to push residents toward choosing reusable shopping bags instead of either paper or plastic (and make some revenue off those who continued to use paper).

PREVIOUSLY:
Brownsville, Texas, The Latest Place To Ban Plastic Bags
California Decides Not To Ban Plastic Bags
Walmart Testing Plastic Bag-Less Stores In California
Should Plastic Shopping Bags Be Banned?

Portland adopts ban on plastic bags that takes effect Oct. 15 [The Oregonian via SeattlePI.com]

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