Dive summary:
- A bag-ban law passed in May is being enacted in Hawaii County, the state's big island, forcing customers who do not bring their own bags to grocery stores to pay for disposable plastic bags.
- Hawaii County is the last county in Hawaii to enact a plastic bag ban; Hawaii is now the first plastic bag-free state in the country.
- While the law currently enforces a bag fee, plastics bags will be completely banned in Hawaii by July 1, 2015; paper bags will need to come from at least 40% recycled product.
From the article:
"... Under the new ordinance, all businesses including grocery stores, restaurants, farmer's markets and other retailers must charge a fee for single use plastic carryout bags.
'In the end, this bill is not about plastic bags, politics or the Hawaii County City Council," said Hawaii County Mayor Bill Kenoi in a letter to City Council members. "It's about protecting our beautiful island.' ..."
