Bainbridge Island, Wash., bans plastic bags

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, Wash. (AP) — Bainbridge Island, Wash., has voted to ban plastic bags.

The City Council voted unanimously Wednesday evening to approve the ordinance. The ban takes effect Nov. 1.

The Kitsap Sun reports (http://is.gd/rrxPa2 ) that Bainbridge Island joins Seattle, Bellingham, Edmonds and Mukilteo in enacting bag bans in Washington.

Fifteen audience members spoke, with only one opposing the ban. M.C. Halvorsen said she preferred a public vote.

Fourteen-year-old Anika Vroom urged the council to approve the ban, saying adults are piling waste on younger generations.

Also backing the ban are the Bainbridge Island Downtown Association and Town & Country Market, which believes the measure will be cost-neutral due to a provision allowing stores to charge 5 cents for recyclable paper bags.

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Information from: Kitsap Sun, http://www.kitsapsun.com/