Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

August 29, 2008 4:45:51 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Plastic Bags Getting the Sack Across US

Posted Mar 15, 08 8:42 PM CDT in Science & Health,  US 

(Newser) – The party's over for plastic bags, USA Today reports. A San Francisco ban on petroleum-based bags already has imitators from coast to coast. Massachusetts is eyeing a bill that would "nudge" consumers with a 2-cent tax on each bag; Connecticut could slap retailers with a $1,000 fine for using non-biodegradable sacks.

"It's a modest act that makes people feel that they're actually contributing," says the San Francisco ban's sponsor, who notes plastic-bag litter has noticeably dropped while use of reusable totes has increased. New York City and California require some retailers to recycle them, a move preferred by the American Chemistry Council, which says plastic requires 40% less energy to make than paper.

Source USA Today

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • San Francisco Bans Plastic Grocery Bags

    Mar 28, 07 1:07 PM CDT
    San Francisco Bans Plastic Grocery Bags Plastic bags are history in San Francisco's large grocery and drug stores, after the city's board of supervisors adopted the country's first ban on petroleum-based bags yesterday. The ubiquitous bags don't biodegrade, clog recycling machines, clutter landfills, catch in trees and can injure or poison marine life. More »

Giant supermarket in Washigton has plastic and paper bags available, and sells reusable bags in the store.   (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
New laws aim to reduce plastic shopping bags.   (Getty Images)
Customers in the US and UK have snatched up designer "I'm Not A Plastic Bag" bags   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

New York City  • environment  • San Francisco  • Massachusetts  • Connecticut  • ban  • plastic bags  • paper bags


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other US Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »