The Big Island of Hawaii is getting rid of the plastic bag.

A plastic bag ordinance was adopted last year to cover grocery stores, restaurants, farmer's markets, and other retail stores. Effective today, these stores must charge for each plastic bag they distribute.

Starting January 17, 2014, all single-use plastic bags will be banned from distribution.

On their website, the County lists reduced wildlife impacts, litter abatement, and landfill waste reduction as reasons for the ordinance.

Read more in an article.

By 2015, the entire state will be covered under operative bag ordinances once Oahu's bag ban goes into effect.