A BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS HAS TAKEN EFFECT IN MONTEREY YESTERDAY, WHERE PLASTIC BAGS WILL NO LONGER BE AVAILABLE IN STORES AND PAPER BAGS WILL COST 10 CENTS EACH. THE BAN CAME ABOUT AS A PUSH BY THE CITY TO REDUCE OIL CONSUMPTION AND PROTECT THE OCEANS FROM DISCARDED BAGS. THE BAN APPLIES TO RETAIL STORES ONLY, PLASTIC BAGS WILL STILL BE AVAILABLE FOR MEDICATIONS AND FOR TAKE OUT FOOD. AT MOST RETAIL STORES, REUSABLE BAGS CAN BE PURCHASED FOR 99 CENTS.
