Retailers and merchants on the Outer Banks are hustling to prepare for the plastic-bag ban that will go into effect on Sept 1.  “We’ve been trying to get ready, but it’s going to be really tight,” said Wes Gutekunst, Kitty Hawk Kites marketing director.  “As much as we support that it’s going to happen, it did happen quickly.”

The legislation banning plastic bags on the Outer Banks was signed into law in June.  Retailers bigger than 5,000 square feet and a stores with more than five or more outlets in the state in North Carolina will have to comply with this law.  Customers will be offered incentives for using their own bags.