Maine launches bag reuse campaign

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - A campaign is being launched in Maine to encourage shoppers to get in the habit of bringing reusable bags to the store.

The campaign was announced Monday at a State House news conference. It stems from legislation considered earlier this year that's aimed at removing disposable plastic bags from the waste stream. Environmentalists say many of the 700 million plastic bags used annually by Maine consumers end up in landfills, on the streets and in lakes and streams.

Grocers' groups, merchants, drug store chains and other retailers have signed on to the campaign, whose goal is to reduce the use of single-use plastic and paper bags by 33 percent by 2012.

Campaign leaders said a similar promotion has worked well in California.