11.19.2007 8:32 AM

Plastic Bag Ban Takes Effect Tuesday

San Francisco is First U.S. City to Enforce a Ban

Last day for plastic bags in San Francisco.

Last day for plastic bags in large grocery stores in San Francisco.

Photo: Photodisc / Getty Images

By Dan Shapley

The nation's first ban on plastic bags goes into effect Tuesday, as large grocery stores in San Francisco will no longer be allowed to give away plastic bags to their customers.

Smaller groceries and retailers aren't affected, and pharmacies aren't yet affected, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The ban should go a long way toward reducing litter and landfill waste, and toward educating people about alternatives. A reusable bag is the greenest choice.

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