Jarrett Bay Boating & Fishing Forum

[jthompsonNC]

A ban on plastic bags on North Carolina’s Outer Banks takes effect today.

The bill, signed into law by Gov. Beverly Perdue in June, means stores in Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties will have to offer an alternative to plastic bags. The ban covers stores larger than 5,000 square feet or that have more than five outlets in the state.

The stores can offer paper bags made of 100 percent recycled paper or reusable shopping bags.

Shoppers who take their own bags to stores will be offered a refund, coupon or loyalty points from the store. They also can get credit that is equal to the cost of the paper bag.

The refund won’t apply to prepared foods.