Shoppers in Dallas need to remember that a new carryout bag ordinance takes effect in January.
The ordinance puts a $0.05 fee on the use of single use carryout bags. Business owners who use these bags will have to register with the city and keep track of how many of these bags they sell or they could face fines of up to $500 a day.
The city council felt this ordinance was needed for a huge problem worldwide.
"More than a trillion plastic bags are used every year worldwide," said Dallas city councilman Dwaine R. Caraway. "Americans use more than 100 billion plastic bags each year, and more than 300 bags per person per year."
Some bags will be exempt from this ordinance, including garbage bags, dry cleaning bags and recycled bags.
The city will make roughly $1.7 million on the new ordinance. A portion of the money will go to compliance, while the other part goes to public education. Business owners will receive 10 percent of the money back.
The public is encouraged to use reusable bags to avoid the new fee.
