After years of wrangling, Oregon grocers and environmental groups are lining up behind a statewide ban on single-use plastic checkout bags aimed at cutting plastic litter and boosting the state's paper bag makers.
A draft ban proposed for next year's legislative session would bar the plastic checkout bags by November 2011. It would require at least a nickel charge on recycled paper checkout bags to cover their higher cost and encourage use of reusable bags, but would likely increase paper bag use even with the extra charge.
A hearing at the Capitol Wednesday featured support from the Northwest Grocers Association, grocer Fred Meyer, paper-bag maker International Paper, recycler Far West Fibers and environmental groups, including Surfrider Foundation, Environment Oregon and Willamette Riverkeeper.
If it clears the Legislature, Oregon would likely be the first state to adopt a statewide ban.
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