The county banned plastic bags last year and charged 10 cents for each paper bag. But now, officials have increased it to 25 cents to get people's attention. They want shoppers to bring their own bags, to keep plastic bags from polluting the environment and harming marine life in Monterey Bay.
Similar laws go into effect in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, as well as the city of Santa Cruz on Earth Day, on April 22.
Save Our Shores will hand out free reusable bags at four locations:
- Deluxe Foods, 780 Rio Del Mar Blvd., Aptos
- Safeway, 2720 41st Ave., Soquel
- Safeway, 6255 Graham Hill Road, Felton
- Ben Lomond Market, 9440 Mill St., Ben Lomond
