Oregon Public Broadcasting

The plastic bag industry is mounting a vigorous campaign against a proposed ban on single-use checkout bags in Oregon. Supporters and opponents of the measure crowded a hearing room at the capitol.

The bill would ban the ubiquitous plastic bag at supermarket and other retail checkout stands.

Customers could bring a reusable bag or purchase paper bags from the store for at least a nickel.

The American Chemistry Council calls it "big brother legislation" and is urging a letter-writing campaign.

Plastic bag giant Hilex Poly took out a double full-page ad in the Salem newspaper calling the measure a "massive, unnecessary tax."

The South Carolina-based company's vice president, Mark Daniels, flew all the way to Salem to try to convince lawmakers to reject the bill.

Daniels says the industry worries a ban in Oregon could be contagious.

Mark Daniels:  "A piece of legislation like this, that could have a tendency to go to maybe California. Then all of a sudden we're looking at the entire west coast that had banned a benign product."

Backers of the proposal include environmental groups and a coalition of grocery stores.

Senate Bill 536