Hawaii becomes the first state to prohibit plastic bags statewide
Plastic grocery and shopping bags have become a matter of great concern due to the damage they can do to the environment.
On July 1st, the Hawaiian island of Oahu instituted a ban on them, following in the footsteps of the Big Island, which prohibited their use in 2013.
Both Maui and Kauai Counties did away with the bags 4 years ago.
Retailers big and small were ready for the switchover from disposable plastic to recyclable and reusable materials.
Tamura's in Kaimuki is giving its customers a free multi-use tote.
It's made of a thick plastic and designed for multiple use.
Target's Kailua store, which opened in March, got a jump on the ban by never offering disposable plastic shopping bags in the first place.
Shoppers are welcomed to bring their own or purchase a reusable one on site.
Stores on Oahu that don't comply with the ban are subject to daily fines ranging from $100 to $1,000.
Exemptions to the law include plastic packaging for meat and bags used to safely transport household chemicals.
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