Corvallis city in Oregon welcomes a plastic bag ban on January 1st.

Corvallis city in Oregon will be welcoming a plastic bag ban on January 1st, when months of hard work finally comes together.

A city ordinance takes effect next week, banning single-use plastic bags and requiring shoppers to pay a five cent charge on all paper bags.

It was originally passed in July by the city council, the Gazette Times reports, with the first phase for large companies, with more than 50 full time employees, taking place in the new year.

Meanwhile, smaller organisations will have to adhere to the regulations as of July 1st 2013.

These policies follow on from similar ones implemented elsewhere across the north-west of the US, Portland, Seattle and Washington.

This in turn makes the transition easier for many firms, as they have experience with the issue and can quickly make the switch from plastic to paper and cotton shopping bags.

Speaking to the publication, Melinda Merrill, director of public affairs for Fred Meyer in Portland, said that the business was familiar with what to do.

“It’s basically a pretty simple process for us. We have to be sure to move plastic bags to other stores. And we rejigged the cash registers and made sure we have enough reusables. It hasn’t been a problem for us,” Ms Merrill explained.

Shoppers in Corvallis will be required to pay a small fee for reusable or paper bags, however, customers who bring their own reusable bags will not be charged.

Plastic bags will continue to be relied upon for bulk items, such as produce and meat, as well as in pharmacies and takeaways for restaurants.

Scott Dvbvad, sustainability program specialist within the council, explained: “We’re promoting renewables and not encouraging single-use products; that’s our key focus.

“We’re making hidden costs visible, going from hidden at the cash register to out in the open. That’s a big shift. It’s only a tax on those who choose a behaviour.”

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