Brattleboro bans plastic shopping bags

The Vermont town of Brattleboro has banned local businesses from giving out single-use plastic shopping bags.

The ban went into effect on July 1.

Town manager Peter Elwell says the major retailers have a made a smooth transition and most of the smaller shops are also complying.

Voters in the southern Vermont town last year overwhelmingly approved the ban.

Three area businesses have asked for a six-month extension to comply.

Violators would receive a warning. After a third warning, they face a $50 fine.

California and Hawaii ban disposable plastic bags and a number of cities including Chicago and San Francisco and dozens of other communities prohibit them.

A statewide ban was introduced in the Vermont Legislature last year but it didn't make it out of committee.