(NEWS CENTER) -- According to the Portland Press Herald, on Tuesday, York voters approved the first ban on single-use plastic shopping bags in Maine.
The "Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag Ordinance" was designed to eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags by retail and grocery stores in town. It passed by a vote of 1,649-1,151, the newspaper reports.
Two cities in southern Maine have adopted fees for plastic bags, while several others are considering similar proposals. Portland's 5-cent plastic bag fee went into effect in April and South Portland has a similar fee set to take effect in March. At least five other communities – including Brunswick, Falmouth, Freeport and Topsham – are considering bag fees or bans.
The York measure was backed by the group Bring Your Own Bag York and had the unanimous backing of the Board of Selectmen.
