SALEM — The Salem City Council will soon decide whether to ban single-use plastic bags.

If approved, Oregon's capital city would join the likes of Portland and Corvallis in adopting a ban on plastic grocery bags.

Environmental activists argue that plastic bags harm wildlife and the planet. Recycling companies also prefer paper, noting that plastic bags can wrap around equipment in the same way as fishing line.

But paper bags are more expensive. The Statesman Journal reports that Salem grocers are warning that they could be forced to raise prices to offset costs unless customers are required to pay a 5-cent fee for recyclable paper bags.

Councilors will consider the ban at their Aug. 27 meeting.

-- The Associated Press