AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) Maine could become the nation’s third state to ban single-use plastic bags starting April 2020.
The Senate voted 24-9 Thursday to send the bill to Democratic Gov. Janet Mills, who hasn’t indicated her stance. She has 10 days to veto it, sign it or let it become law.
Maine’s environmental agency backed the bill, which supporters say targets hard-to-recycle plastic bags.
Retail groups weary of varying bans in dozens of towns support Maine’s bill to allow stores to charge at least 5 cents for recyclable paper bags. California and New York have similar prohibitions; Hawaii’s counties have banned them.
Other New England states are considering such bills.
Plastic bag groups claim bans could mean thicker bags filling landfills.
Maine recently became the first to ban single-use food and drink foam containers.
