UPDATE: In case you haven't heard, the great plastic bag debate is dead for now -- at least in the state legislature. More info here and here.
Expect the fight to move to California cities and counties. As one of the stories states:
In recent weeks, some local government officials said they would take matters into their own hands if the bill failed. According to Heal the Bay, officials in Los Angeles County, Redondo Beach and Santa Monica said they would pursue individual city- and countywide bans in the coming months.
ORIGINAL POST 8/12: Here's a freebie that's timely, considering all the recent talk about a proposed law that would ban plastic bags in California's markets and convenience stores.
Bee reporter Tim Sheehan explains why some folks are in favor of Assembly Bill 1998, while others are against it.
It's clear that Save Mart falls in the camp that supports the bill. Today, 17 Save Mart stores in Fresno and Clovis will distribute more than 5,000 free, re-usable shopping bags. (Each store will give away bags to its first 300 customers.)
Save Mart touts these benefits of its re-usable bags: A single bag can replace up to four single-use bags during checkout. Bring it to the supermarket 50 times, and you'll have saved 200 single-use plastic bags.
And for folks who say the re-usable bags get too dirty and downright unsanitary, Save Mart has this tip: Turn the bags inside out, spray them with disinfectant, and allow them to air dry.
Want one? Here's the list of stores giving them away: