Solana Beach, California is embracing the plastic bag ban.

As one of the first cities in the US to formally adopt a plastic bag ban and make the transition to cotton carrier and paper bags, Solana Beach, California is a great place with which to monitor the scheme's success.

According to the Delmar Times switching to reusable bags has now become the norm for residents.

Since May 9th the council's desire to lower emissions and reduce pollution was noted, before finally going into effect on August 9th for the city's larger retailers, before later moving onto the area's grocery and convenience stores three months later.

More than six million single-use carrier bags will be eliminated in a year, according to city figures, which show that the pioneering measure appears to be being effective.

However, not every store is fully adopting the measures, with some choosing to reject the regulation and accept the $1,000 fines.

City manager David Ott, meanwhile, argued that the ordinance meant that businesses would only be confronted if a complaint surfaced, and then it would still follow a prior warning.

Incentive programmes have been discussed, which include paper bag fee schemes to encourage levies to be donated to charity or local environmental projects.

Restaurants are currently exempt from the ban, pending ongoing statewide discussions, however this has caused further confusion with local residents.

Mr Ott said that both positive and negative feedback surrounding the ban has been given, however , while it has been overwhelmingly upbeat, it needs to be revisited.

"We will give it six months and see how it is going," he told the newspaper, as this allows residents and businesses to continue to offer their opinions on the plastic bag ban and how it could be improved.

Locals wanting to raise questions, praise or criticism can log onto the Solana Beach website and enter their comments.

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