From:@MPBNnews

An assortment of reusable bags, which Portland consumers are expected to be using more of when the city's 5-cent bag fee goes into effect.

Patty Wight MPBN

PORTLAND, Maine - Portland businesses, officials, and residents are gearing up for two anti-waste initiatives that start next week.

Beginning April 15, there will be a city-wide ban on foam packaging and a 5-cent fee on disposable shopping bags.

The Natural Resources Council of Maine's Sarah Lakeman says disposable bags may seem free, but there's a cost to using them.

"We believe the bag fee will help people get in the habit to use their reusable bags and the result will be a cleaner environment and less waste, which are both good things."

Portland joins the more than 150 communities in the U.S. that have adopted bag ordinances.