PORT ANGELES – Single-use plastic bags are no longer allowed as of this week in the city of Port Angeles.
In April, the city council voted 4-3 in favor of the ban.
Beginning this week, businesses will have to stop supplying the thin plastic bags. They’ll also have to charge at least a nickle for every other type of bag they provide such as paper bags.
However, the city is providing a grace period for businesses to use up any inventory of bags they may have before full enforcement of the ban goes into place.
Shoppers are being encouraged to purchase their own reusable bags and bring them from home.
Proponents say the ban will help keep the plastic out of the ecosystem. Opponents say they fear it could impact retailers as shoppers may choose, or be forced, to go elsewhere because of the lack of bags.