Home : News : Local : Austin :

Regular Photo Size2/2

In-Depth: Explaining the bag ban

What you need to know about the bag ban:

Plastic bags: 4 mil in thickness or greater with handles
Paper bags: made of 40 percent recycled content with handles
Cloth or another type of reusable bag made out of durable materials
Customers who do not bring reusable bags may be charged for them at stores
Source: The City of Austin

Austin's bag ban is now in effect

Say so long to the single-use sack

Updated: Tuesday, 05 Mar 2013, 8:51 AM CST
Published : Friday, 01 Mar 2013, 7:21 AM CST

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The protests and the training are over and the citywide bag ban is now in effect in Austin.

Starting Friday, stores will no longer be stuffing customers' purchases into the so-called single-use plastic bags. Instead, customers will have to bring their own reusable sacks or purchase approved containers at the checkout stands.

The new ordinance is not without some vocal opponents. This week, the Texas Retailers Association claimed in a lawsuot that the ban violates state law. The business group contends that it violates a health and safety code in the Texas Constitution.

The lawsuit is not seeking an injunction to prevent the ban from taking effect.

Supporters say the new rule is better for the environment.

Opinions that are derogatory, attack other users or are offensive in nature may be removed. KXAN is not responsible for the content posted in this comment section. We reserve the right to remove any offensive or off-topic remark or thread. To mark a comment for review by a moderator, click "Report Abuse."