Glendale looks set to encourage the use of paper bags among its shoppers.

Glendale is set to become the latest US city to encourage the use of paper bags among shoppers.

The Californian city could soon put a law in motion that would ban the use of plastic bags at checkouts, as well as applying a small charge to each paper carrier.

Nearby cities such as Los Angeles, Pasadena and Laguna Beach have all passed similar rulings and now City Council members in Glendale have given their full backing the new law.

The Glendale News-Press reports that the ban will initially be applied to grocery stores but could soon be extended to all shopping environments, if some councillors get their wish.

Councilman Dave Weaver told the news provider that the decision was a "no-brainer".

He continued: "It's inevitable. It's got to happen. We're just going to join in the crowd."

Councilwoman Laura Friedman was one of those who felt that the ban should be put in place outside of just grocery stores to maximise its impact and the benefits for the environment.

She questioned: "Grocers are a great step. Why not some of the other stores? Why not hardware stores?"

While the plans have essentially been given the green light, they still need to go through the final approval process before the law comes into place.

If this goes without any hitches, then a total of 164 stores would be affected, with the implementation set to take place in two phases.

The first six months would see large grocery stores with at least $2 million (£1.2 million) of gross annual sales as well as retailers with a minimum space of 10,000 square feet and farmers markets all comply.

Then, within 12 months, grocers of a smaller stature, as well as liquor stores and city events, would need to be au fait with the rules and enforce them fully.

The decision has had a good deal of support from businesses in the area, with Mark Sheridan, manager of the Montrose Farmers Market, saying it was a "challenge", but that it was "necessary for the community".

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