Ban on plastic bags on Outer Banks takes effect today

Posted to: Environment News North Carolina
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The Virginian-Pilot
© September 1, 2009

A ban on plastic bags on North Carolina’s Outer Banks takes effect today.

The bill, signed into law by Gov. Beverly Perdue in June, means stores in Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties will have to offer an alternative to plastic bags. The ban covers stores larger than 5,000 square feet or that have more than five outlets in the state.

The stores can offer paper bags made of 100 percent recycled paper or reusable shopping bags.

Shoppers who take their own bags to stores will be offered a refund, coupon or loyalty points from the store. They also can get credit that is equal to the cost of the paper bag.

The refund won’t apply to prepared foods.

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If They're Bad, Ban Them All

Submitted by 290ykk on Tue, 09/01/2009 at 2:41 pm.

If these bags are bad for the environment, they are all bad regardless of source. Why are some businesses exempted? I'm sure there is a reasonable answer; I'd just like to know what it is.

here

Submitted by iqdou on Tue, 09/01/2009 at 10:53 am.

http://hamptonroads.com/2009/05/bill-ban-plastic-grocery-bags-passes-nc-senate

Why?

Submitted by Singlemomof1 on Tue, 09/01/2009 at 8:27 am.

Maybe this was big news but I really haven't followed it. For those like myself, you would think the writer of this story would have stated the reason for the ban..

I haven't really followed it

Submitted by This is how I see it on Tue, 09/01/2009 at 9:24 am.

I haven't really followed it either. I imagine it is an environmental thing based on probably a very high usage since the outer banks is a large tourist area too. It is nice that the stores are offering a refund for bringing reusable bags. I wish stores around here would do that to encourage reusables instead of resorting to a ban.

Really? I haven't either

Submitted by ChunkyMonkey06 on Tue, 09/01/2009 at 8:56 am.

Really? I haven't either but I can figure out it has to do with the environment.

?

Submitted by Singlemomof1 on Tue, 09/01/2009 at 9:51 am.

Yes, I guess we can figure that. I always thought those bags were recyclable so I was questioning why they were replacing them with recyclable paper bags, which are more expensive and probably larger, meaning more litter, if litter was the problem. A litter bug doesn't care how the trash is contained, so was just trying to find out the exact reason.

i wish we'd ban these things....

Submitted by iqdou on Tue, 09/01/2009 at 7:40 am.

here in Hampton Roads. People are such pigs and think nothing of throwing any and everything, including these horrible bags, out of their vehicles. They're everywhere and they make everything ugly.

p.s. I am NOT an environmentalist or tree hugger. I simply detest littering and these bags are the worst.