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San Francisco Sued Over Plastic Bag Ban

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – San Francisco is being sued over its recently expanded ban on plastic bags.

Earlier this month, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to expand the city's ban on plastic bags at grocery markets and pharmacies to include all stores and restaurants.

But the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition is arguing that the ordinance violates state law.

KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:

"The California Retail Food Code preempts and prohibits cities and counties from taking these matters into their own hands," said the group's attorney, Stephen Joseph.

He said an Environmental Impact Report for the ordinance was never done and it only charges people 10 cents for paper bags, which are far worse for the environment.

"It was originally going to be 25 cents. 10 cents is a very small amount and it won't deter many people from taking paper bags," he said.

Save the Plastic Bag Coalition managed to overturn a similar restaurant bag law in Santa Cruz County.

But supporters of the San Francisco ban argue that plastic bags are a nuisance and clog up landfills.

A spokesman for the city attorney said that he's aware of the lawsuit but it's premature to comment.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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