West Virginia is the latest state to consider banning plastic grocery bags, according to this story from the Charleston, W. Va., Daily Mail. According to the story, a bill introduced by four delegates would require retailers to phase out plastic bags by 2011, replacing them with compostable bags, mandating recycling bins and offering consumers reusable bags.
The lead sponsor, Delegate Ralph Rodighiero, D-Logan, said he introduced the bill because plastic bags have become quite the public eyesore, cluttering riverbanks and roadways. "We're trying to revive our area," Rodighiero said. "We've got the Hatfield-McCoy Trail, a new Wal-mart, and we're trying to build. People are coming in from out-of-state to see our beautiful area, and the last thing they need to observe are white and blue plastic bags along the bank."These bag bans are really gaining momentum. It will be interesting to see how many actually are adopted this year, and whether they are a fad or they keep popping up in the future.