(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), businesses shall be prohibited from providing plastic checkout bags and nonrecyclable paper bags to their customers at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise.
(b) Businesses may provide, at the point of sale, reusable bags, compostable plastic bags, or recyclable paper bags to customers for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise; provided that they charge the customer a minimum of 15 cents per bag.
(c) Nothing in this article shall be interpreted as prohibiting businesses from providing nonrecyclable paper bags, with or without charge, to protect or transport prepared foods, beverages, or bakery goods.
(d) After January 1, 2020, compostable plastic bags shall no longer be provided at the point of sale for the purpose of transporting groceries or other merchandise.
(1990 Code, Ch. 9, Art. 9, § 9-9.2) (Added by Ord. 12-8; Am. Ords. 14-29, 17-37)