NEW YORK, NY January 10, 2008 —REPORTER: The City Council wants to prevent plastic bags from becoming litter. Yesterday, it passed legislation that requires large stores and chains to recycle the bags.

Stores that fail to comply could face fines of $300 per day.

Speaker Christine Quinn says the bill requires the clear display of recycling bins for plastic bags. These bags must, however, be clean to be recyclable.

QUINN: The bags can't be contaminated is the technical word. So you can't bring a bag that if you brought meat home, has a lot of gook.

REPORTER: Stores must also sell reusable bags and educate customers about the new program.

Mayor Bloomberg is expected to sign the legislation.