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Davis Shying Away From Plastic Bag Ban

DAVIS, Calif. (CBS13) -- One of the greenest communities in Northern California is pulling back from a recent statewide environmental push to ban plastic bags.

The City of Davis has postponed discussions into joining three other California cities that have already banned plastic bags until numerous legal challenges to the laws are settled.

Numerous proposals to institute ban businesses from giving away plastic bags to customers for free have failed in the state Legislature, and critics have claimed banning plastic bags is unconstitutional.

Many Davis businesses said they support reducing the use of plastic bags, but said some smaller stores may be hit the hardest if an outright ban were to take effect.

Watermelon Music co-owner Jeff Simons said they offer reusable bags and have cut the use of plastic bags by about 90 percent, but find that plastic bags are sometimes necessary, especially on rainy days.

"We have products that are paper, music books, that are going to get soiled and messed up," Simons said. "We have no problem with cutting down on bags. Costs us less money with fewer bags."

The Downtown Business Association said many business owners are tuned in to environmentally conscious Davis residents and want to eliminate plastic bags as much as possible, but don't think city officials need to manage the issue.

"It's a matter of finding a balance between doing right by the environment and doing right by people's pocketbooks," said spokesperson Joy Cohan.

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