Another California Town Passes Bag Ban, Fate of Illinois Bill Still Uncertain

West Hollywood, Calif., has banned single-use plastic carryout bags, bringing the number of plastic bag bans in the U.S. to 81. The ban will go into effect in late February 2013 for retail stores with 10,000 or more square feet, and six months after that for all other retailers.

In addition to the 81 plastic bag bans nationwide, three other U.S. communities—Montgomery County, Md.; Aspen, Colo., and Washington, D.C.—have taxes on plastic carryout bags.

Separately, a plastic bag recycling bill in Illinois has yet to be signed by Gov. Pat Quinn with the Aug. 28 deadline for his decision fast approaching.