DC Bag Bill becomes Law

Residents in DC will now have to pay 5 cents for every carrier bag given to them when they checkout at all stores. One to two cents of the fee returns to the retailer and the remainder will go into an Anacostia River Cleanup and Protection Fund to help restore one of the most polluted rivers in the countryThe fund will also pay for reusable bags and an educational campaign for low-income, elderly, and other needy residents

What a great start to the decade, hopefully by the time new decade comes around there will be no sign of plastic bags anywhere. In fact the City CFO estimates that the new law will reduce demand for carrier bags by 90% in 5 years.

I look forward to a plastic bag free 2010!