Canadian Grocers Propose Plastic-Bag Tax

Toronto Canadian supermarket operators and city officials reportedly agreed on Tuesday to a plan introducing legislation that requires consumers to pay 5? for each plastic bag they get from stores.

The deal, which is expected to be announced Wednesday by the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors trade group, is an alternative to an earlier city proposal to make stores provide shoppers with a 10? credit for each bag eliminated. That proposal drew sharp criticism from retailers.

The new compromise is among a slate of tactics designed to meet Toronto mayor David Miller’s target of diverting 70% of the city's waste from landfills by 2012, according to reports.