© iStockphoto.com/Thinkstock
READ MORE ABOUT:
San Francisco is considering expanding its ban on plastic bags from supermarkets and pharmacies to all retailers.
The way the law stands now, these stores are required to present customers with either compostable plastic bags, recyclable paper bags or reusable bags.
But Ross Mirkarimi, a city supervisor involved in passing the existing law in 2007, said that doesn't go far enough and presented the expanded measure to the Board of Supervisors last week.
If the new bill passes, it would extend to all retailers, including bookshops and clothing stores, adding significantly to the estimated 100 million plastic bags that have been avoided directly because of the 2007 law. (Exemptions exist, however, for produce and garment bags like the ones used in dry cleaning.)
Stores would be allowed to charge five cents for paper bags under the new law, which would go into effect next March.
But it's not just the always-green San Francisco that's making these changes. Governor Schwarzenegger has already expressed support of a bill that would ban disposable plastic bags statewide.
More about San Francisco:
Pyramid Power Goes Green In San Francisco California
San Francisco Mayor Bans the Bottle
San Francisco Bans Styrofoam for To-Go Containers
