Mercer Island’s plastic bag ban takes effect next Tuesday, April 22, on Earth Day.

Mercer Island City Council adopted an ordinance that bans single-use, plastic carry-out bags at retail stores. The ordinance is modeled after similar requirements adopted in many other Washington communities, but does not include a mandatory 5 cent pass-through charge on paper bags. Instead, retailers may choose whether or not to sell paper bags to customers, or absorb the cost.

The new regulation is intended to reduce plastic litter and minimize harm to fish and animals.

There are several exceptions to the ban that allows plastic bags for certain food items, such as bulk produce, meat or fish, prepared or take out foods and certain consumer goods.

For more, go to www.mercergov.org/News.asp?NewsID=1711.