The ban of single-use plastic bags goes into effect throughout the City of Pittsburgh Saturday, October 14.
The ban affects retailers like, Supermarkets, Convenience stores, Service stations, Department stores, dollar stores, clothing stores, restaurants, cafeterias, festivals, food trucks, farmers’ markets, and delivery services.
Retailers that offer paper bags must charge 10 cents a bag.
The ban affects 14 Giant Eagle locations. Spokeswoman Jannah Jablonowski says they’ll donate 100 percent of the money raised to local environmental groups.
Shopper are encouraged to use reusable bags. Retailers that don't comply with the ordinance will be warned at first.
A second violation is a $100 fine followed by a $250 fine for a third.
The City of Pittsburgh explained why the ban is going into effect on their website.
Americans use an estimated 100 billion plastic bags per year. These bags are often used only once and are rarely recycled properly, leading them to litter our streets and sidewalks, clog recycling machines and storm drains, and eventually increase the presence of microplastic in our water and soil.
More information can be found here.