Barrington mulls ban on plastic bags

BARRINGTON, R.I. (AP) -- Barrington officials are considering a ban on plastic grocery bags to protect the environment.

The Providence Journal reports that the town conservation commission has voted to ban the use of the bags at retail stores. The proposal now goes to the Town Council for review.

The environmental drive is strong in California and elsewhere in the West, but has moved more slowly in eastern states.

Discarded bags wash up on beaches by the thousands, clog storm drains and anger environmentalists who have been seeking a ban for years.

Industry representatives say bag bans kill jobs. The American Progressive Bag Alliance says the plastic bag manufacturing and recycling business employs more than 30,000 U.S. workers.