Should Plastic Bags Be Banned in Woodinville?

Saturday, Aug. 28, marked the year anniversary of Edmonds as the first city in Washington to ban the single-use, checkout line plastic bags in grocery stores.

Edmonds grocery and retail stores have switched to paper bags and consumers are encouraged to use multiple-use cloth bags.

According to the Algalita Marine Research Foundation, there are garbage heaps floating in the ocean, filled with plastic bags. The bags are a threat to life because toxic chemicals leach from the bags into the water.

So, Paper or plastic?

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Edmonds' ordinance allows plastic bags for produce, meat, prepared and bulk food at groceries and for restaurant take-out food. The ban effects all retail establishments, not just grocery stores.

Bellingham is slated to ban the bags next year, and passed an ordinance there with cooperation from environmental activists and the retail community.

Patch freelancer Brian Soregel contributed to this story.