S.F. Leaders OK Plastic Grocery Bag Ban - AP

[Eugene]

S.F. Leaders OK Plastic Grocery Bag Ban

By LISA LEFF
The Associated Press
Tuesday, March 27, 2007; 10:31 PM

SAN FRANCISCO -- City leaders approved a ban on plastic grocery bags after
weeks of lobbying on both sides from environmentalists and a supermarket trade
group. If Mayor Gavin Newsom signs the ban as expected, San Francisco would
be the first U.S. city to adopt such a rule.

The law, passed by a 10-1 vote, requires large markets and drug stores to give
customers only a choice among bags made of paper that can be recycled, plastic
that breaks down easily enough to be made into compost, or reusable cloth.

San Francisco supervisors and supporters said that by banning the petroleum-
based sacks, blamed for littering streets and choking marine life, the measure
would go a long way toward helping the city earn its green stripes.

"Hopefully, other cities and states will follow suit," said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi,
who crafted the ban after trying to get a 15-cent per bag tax passed in 2005.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/27/AR2007032702250.html

[BayCityProgressive]

1. good

we really need to start protecting our environment as much as possible.

[TomInTib]

2. We (Tiburon) are going the same route.

We are directly North across the Bay and we are allowing our retailers to utilize the last of their non-recyclable plastics.

We are also the first town/city in the US with a ban on trans fats.

[benny05]

5. I love Tiburon

My bro lives in Marin County too.

I think this is a great idea. Surely the cost won't go up too much for packaging groceries.

I never though until that freeze south of you all thought it would impact my grocery bill as it has. It's as bad as gasoline prices are there.

[Warpy]

3. I wish they'd do it here

I'm sick of trying to rip the damned things out of trees and bushes every time the wind comes up.

I'd rather see a nickel charge (or even more) for paper bags. At least they biodegrade. Besides, the groceries pack better in paper.

[KT2000]

7. No kidding

there are plastic grocery bags all over the place and especially way up in the trees. This never happened with paper bags. Are people just throwing out the front door or what?

[DBoon]

4. Oh no!

I'd have to start paying for doogie poop bags!

[TomInTib]

6. Our bags are biodegradable, as well

No kidding.

And we are about to launch a Green Casino on Angel Island.