SALEM — When you get takeout food from your favorite restaurant, you might be handed a thin plastic bag, with foam containers inside containing your meal, plus a plastic straw or two if you ordered a drink.
Those straws? Gone.
The bag? History.
The foam containers? Not going anywhere.
State lawmakers delivered a split verdict on a group of bills cracking down on plastic wares that comes from retailers and vendors.
The Senate Tuesday approved House Bill 2509, which bans plastic checkout bags at stores and restaurants statewide starting next year.
Senators last week approved Senate Bill 90, prohibiting stores and restaurants from giving out plastic straws to customers. Customers can still ask for one under the legislation, which takes effect next year.
A third bill, House Bill 2883, that would have prevented vendors . . .
