Paper or Plastic? How 'Bout Neither
San Francisco introduces measure to ban paper bags in the City
By SAJID FAROOQ
Updated 10:30 AM PST, Thu, Oct 22, 2009
Paper or plastic? How about neither if you live in San Francisco.
The City has already banned plastic shopping bags at major retailers and now it is targeting evil paper bags. Brown is the new green.
San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi introduced legislation this week he hopes will encourage customers to bring their own shopping bags so stores can reduce the number of bags provided at checkout.
If passed, the ordinance would require retailers to offer a 10-cent rebate to customers who bring their own reusable sacks or face a stiff fine.
What is the cost of going green? If you are Safeway or Whole Foods you would face fines between $100 to $500. Whole Foods currently gives a 5-cent discount for earth friendly customers.
The ordinance would affect about 135 large grocery stores and pharmacies in San Francisco.
Mirkarimi told the San Francisco Chronicle the legislation would help reduce the 14 million trees chopped down each year to make paper bags.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Bay Area
First Published: Oct 22, 2009 10:20 AM PST
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