Thanks to the NY Times!

One of the greenest cities in the country is making another big change in the name of environmental awareness.

On Monday, the Seattle City Council voted to ban plastic bags from being given out in stores. In their place, retailers can offer paper bags for a 5-cent fee.

The fee is meant to encourage shoppers to bring their own reusable bags. Amendments in the bill exempt food banks and low-income residents from having to charge and pay the extra fee.

The ban is expected to reduce pollution, free up landfill space and improve the environment. Seattle’s residents use 292 million plastic bags and 68 million paper bags a year. About 82 percent of paper bags are recycled, while only 13 percent of plastic bags are recycled.”

Seattle is not the first city to take such steps. Several municipalities in the state of Washington and all around the country have targeted plastic bags.

If the ordinance goes on to become law, it will take effect in July of 2012.