PORTLAND, ORE. (Nov. 16, 11:50 a.m. ET) — Lawmakers in Portland, Ore. voted to expand the city’s plastic bag ban to small retailers and restaurants, the Oregonian reported.
The city’s current ban applies only to supermarkets with more than $2 million in annual sales or pharmacies with at least 10,000 square feet. The new ban, effective March 1, 2013, will apply to all stores with at least 10,000 square feet. On Oct. 1, 2013, the ban will apply to food carts and farmers markets, the newspaper reported.
Single-use plastic bags will still be allowed for prescriptions, bulk items, produce, meats and dry cleaning.
The law passed unanimously and faced little opposition, the newspaper reported.
