Most of us use them per course: When we grab groceries at the local market, buy stuff at Target, whatever.

But the Dallas City Council will today begin considering a law banning single-use plastic bags within city limits, with staff arguing that such a prohibition would have “significant
environmental benefits.”

City staff is slated to this afternoon recommend to the council’s transportation and environment committee a timeline that includes a complete single-use plastic bag ban within a three- to five-year period.

In the meantime, staff is suggesting creating a program with area retailers to “set up collection bins to take back plastic bags for recycling” and “offer consumers the option of purchasing reusable shopping bags.”

Dallas City Hall itself, meanwhile, would “initiate public outreach and education campaign promoting the benefits of choosing reusable cloth bags over plastic or paper options.”

Wondering if there’s precedent for such a move? Yes, yes, and even locally, yes.