Plastic Bag Ban Starts Today

By Megan Giller

Be sure to bring your reusable bags when you go shopping, because the gag on plastic bags starts today. The new city requirement has gotten many grumbles, guffaws and glad greetings from Austinites from all walks of life. But as of March 1, you’ll either need to bring your own bags or pay a fee for paper bags (for the next year, HEB can sell paper bags for $1 as an “emergency option”).

Interestingly, you’ll still find plastic bags in the produce and meat departments, just not at checkout. Also, the city has required stores to post signs like “Look forward to less plastic.”

The word from the Austin American-Statesman is that Wal-Mart is selling paper bags for 10 cents and reusable, woven bags for 50 cents. Meanwhile Target and Walgreens are offering reusable bags for free.

Though some have scoffed at the liberal implications of the bag ban, others recognize it’s the way of the future. After all, even traditional Texas town Brownsville has been following a similar program for over a year.