https://freerepublic.com/tag/sacrificingtogaea/ en-us Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:53:26 GMT Focus Forum 15 https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4362662/posts Shoppers across the US are seeing higher charges at grocery store checkouts as a new phase of a carryout bag law tied to 2026 environmental goals takes effect, increasing the minimum fee for plastic bags statewide. Under the law, which took effect on January 1, retailers and restaurants must now charge at least 12 cents for each plastic film carryout bag, up from the previous 8-cent fee, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The minimum charge for paper carryout bags remains unchanged at 8 cents. The fee is part of legislation passed in 2020 aimed at reducing the... The Mirror US https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4362662/posts#comment Sat, 17 Jan 2026 22:53:26 GMT