§130A-309.123. Substitution of paper bags restricted

(a)        A retailer subject to G.S. 130A-309.122 may substitute paper bags for the plastic bags banned by that section, but only if all of the following conditions are met:

(1)        The paper bag is a recycled paper bag.

(2)        The retailer offers a cash refund to any customer who uses the customer's own reusable bags instead of the bags provided by the retailer. The amount of the refund shall be equal to the cost to the retailer of providing a recycled paper bag, multiplied by the number of reusable bags filled with the goods purchased by the customer. For purposes of this subdivision, "cash refund" includes a credit against the cost of goods purchased.

(b)        Nothing in this Part shall prevent a retailer from providing customers with reused packaging materials originally used for goods received from the retailer's wholesalers or suppliers.

(c)        Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a prepared foods retailer may package prepared foods in a recycled paper bag, regardless of the availability of a reusable bag, in order to comply with food sanitation or handling standards or best practices.

(2009-163, s. 1; 2010-31, s. 13.10(b); 2010-123, s. 5.2(a).)