12/14/10
SAN JOSE, Calif.—Paper or plastic? That's a question shoppers won't hear in San Jose starting in 2012, when plastic bags will be banned in California's third largest city. KTVU-TV reports that the San Jose City Council voted 10-1 Tuesday to ban single-use plastic bags and bar retailers from giving away paper ones. The ordinance requires stores to charge 10 cents for paper bags in 2012 and 25 cents in 2013 to encourage shoppers to use reusable sacks. San Jose joins San Francisco and several other California cities in banning plastic bags, which environmentalists say clutter the environment and harm wildlife. But some shoppers say plastic bags are useful and they can't afford to buy reusable or paper bags.
