COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Columbia is looking into a partial ban on single-use plastic shopping bags.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that a commission that advises the city council on environmental issues was asked last month to review a proposal.
The main focus would be grocery stores, which are the largest distributors of the bags. Retailers that wouldn't be affected include clothing stores and dine-in and take-out restaurants.
Affected retailers would be required to charge 10 cents for reusable paper bags. Environment and Energy Commission member Jan Dye says the intent is to encourage customers to use reusable bags rather than to make them choose paper over plastic.
The ban would not apply to bags for produce or meats that are intended to prevent the product from coming into contact with other items.
