According to the Associated Press, Democratic Rep. Holly Stover’s bill aims to prohibit retailers from using single use, carry out bags at the check-out line by April 2020. This coming after Maine banned styrofoam beginning January 1st, 2021.

Environmental groups say plastic bags aren’t easily recycled and often end up as litter. You've most likely seen those plastic bags floating in our lakes and ponds, or all caught up in tree branches, or just blowing in the breeze.

The bill faces House and Senate votes. California and New York have similar bans and states including Massachusetts are considering doing the same, however plastic bag manufacturers and recyclers claim that bag bans could pave the way for thicker bags winding up in landfills.

Retailers support Maine’s bill to allow stores to provide recyclable paper bags for at least 5 cents.

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