State Proposes Bag Ban
10/15/09 - 04:40 PM
By: Elizabeth Cate

Tallahassee, Fla:

Paper or plastic?

The days of choice at the check-out counter may soon be over. State environmental officials have proposed a ban on bags.

“That’s just ridiculous in my opinion,” said Panama City shopper, James Renfroe.

If the rule is passed, paper and plastic bags would be phased out over five years. The goal is to encourage people to use reusable bags for shopping.

“Probably what prompted this is that you do see litter problems. There’s been action in other countries that have been taken. Some of the states have looked at this too,” said the Florida Department of Protection’s, Mary Jean Yon.

Here’s the catch: if you forget your reusable bag, and you walk out with plastic, it’ll cost you.  You’ll have to pay a nickel a bag.

“Taking money away from me, because you don’t have a bag, that’s ridiculous,” said Panama City shopper, Dave Lobdill.

It’s estimated that Floridians use more than 5 billion paper and plastic bags a year. A $.05 fee on one billion bags translates to $50 million. Environmentalists say, it’s worth it because plastic causes pollution.

“They just don’t seem to go away. They become part of the visual pollution that we have to experience, and they become part of a source of harm to wildlife,” said Florida Audubon’s, Eric Draper.

Some shoppers agree.

“I like the plastic bags, but I wouldn’t mind changing if it helps,” said Panama City shopper, Betty Heaton.

The money generated by a bag fee would be used for recycling and waste reduction efforts.