South Portland Joins Portland with Plastic Bag Fees

You'll pay for plastic in South Portland too.

Last night South Portland city councilors voted unanimously in favor of a 5 cent plastic bag fee. Portland enacted a similar fee earlier this year. The ordinance aims to reduce waste and encourage recycling.

When the fee is officially introduced next year, retailers will charge 5 cents per-disposable bag. Excluded are bags that are used for vegetables or meat.

In addition to the bag fee, councilors unanimously voted to ban all Styrofoam containers at restaurants.

The plastic bag fee goes into effect March 1.