OUTER BANKS, N.C. - The days of hearing the clerk ask "paper or plastic" at grocery stores in the Outer Banks are over.
"From my point of view there is no difference," said one shopper.
But North Carolina leaders believe there is a difference. They're tired of seeing plastic bags litter the roads and pollute the water. They voted to ban plastic bags in large grocery stores in Currituck, Dare and Hyde Counties. Outer Banks wildlife officials say may times turtles mistake bags for jelly fish.
"The bag ban can only be good for wildlife, especially for marine wildlife," said Sharon Meade with the Outer Banks Wildlife Center.
Grocery stores like Harris Teeter must only offer recycled paper bags and at the same time try to convince customers to go with reusable bags. Some shoppers believe paper bags could be a pain.
"I do think it's inconvenient," said Katya Melvin. "At Food Lion, they have bags with no handles. It's really hard to take out of your car. You have to make several trips. You could grab plastic bags all at one time."
Wildlife officials say the bag ban is a good start, but say there are many other dangerous items that also harm the environment.
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