Portland moving to ban plastic bags at stores

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Plastic shopping bags could be banned at Portland's larger grocery store and other retailers as soon as Oct. 15.

Mayor Sam Adams proposed an ordinance Thursday that is expected to easily win City Council approval.

The Oregonian reports Adams had backed off his bag-ban proposal to give the Legislature a chance to enact a statewide ban. The session ended last month without approval of a bill that would have banned plastic bags and imposed a 5-cent fee for paper sacks.

Critics say plastic bags are an environmental problem.

Portland's ordinance would exempt plastic grocery bags used for produce, bulk food and meat.

---

Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com