North Carolina Says No To Cities Banning Plastic Bags

A new provision in the recently passed North Carolina state budget prohibits cities from banning plastic bags. The News & Observer reports that the provision bans cities from enacting policy or legislation that would “restrict, tax, charge a fee, prohibit or otherwise regulate the use, disposition, or sale of an auxiliary container.” This applies to things like plastic bags, take-out containers at restaurants, and other similar items. Cities like Asheville and Durham have been trying to ban single-use plastics like plastic shopping bags. But this new legislation will not allow those bans to be put in place.

WLOS in Asheville calls this a "major setback" for environmentalists. The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association is responsible for lobbying this language to ensure state policy in an effort to protect grocers. North Carolina cities that were considering banning plastic bags could still move forward with those bans to see if the state chooses to act.

According to the EPA, plastic bag bans are important because the bags are not biodegradable, are often only used once, and the plastic is not easily recyclable. There is also concern that the bags can be blown into water and harm wildlife. I personally do try to take unused plastic bags back to the grocery store to recycle them. Does this do anything beneficial I have no idea, but hey I'm trying. I have numerous of reusable shopping bags but I just don't ever remember to take them into the store when I go. That and I often do order ahead at stores like Target in an effort to not purchase things I don't need.

I can see both sides of this argument. The ban would be beneficial to the environment. But in a time when prices are skyrocketing, especially on groceries, any added cost such as more expensive biodegradable bags, would be passed on to the consumers. And I know I personally can't afford that neither can most Americans.

You can read more on the ban here. Do you support this move by the state or would you like to see cities in North Carolina banning plastic bags?

There are so many breathtakingly beautiful places in the United States. From coastlines to mountains and everything in between. National Parks such as Yellowstone, the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, and some beautiful lakes as well. It's seemingly impossible to choose the most gorgeous landscape our magnificent country has to offer. So when our friends at Storyboards reached out with Instagram data that includes a North Carolina Lake on what they perceived to be the most picturesque landscapes in America, I was intrigued. What North Carolina spot (and a lake by that account) could be included on this list?

If you told me any North Carolina landscape received this accolade I would have first guessed somewhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you told me that was incorrect, the Outerbanks perhaps? But a lake? I'm definitely saying hmm to that one. Though full disclosure, I'm not a lake life girlie. First and foremost I'm not a fan of water I can't see my feet in. Second, walking into a lake with mud between my toes, I just can't. And finally, I did work at and attend a camp on a lake for many years. I'll always have a special place in my heart for the sunny shores of Lake Wylie, SC, but I also saw a few too many snakes that called those waters home. I'll enjoy the views of a place that does feel like home, from the shoreline or a boat from now on. If I can't see what's near me in water, I don't need to be in it.

But for many people, lake houses are a place of paradise, relaxation, and a way of life. And I respect that. That North Carolina lake that was named among the most picturesque landscapes in America sure does have a lot of fans. Which is why it ranked high on this list. How were the rankings compiled? Well, the experts at Storyboards used Instagram data to analyze the number of hashtags for various landscapes in America to discover which of those are the most picturesque. So there you have it. These are the most Instagrammed landscapes in America. Which still surprises me a little. Though I know I see numerous posts from this lake every weekend in the summer. So perhaps it makes sense!

You've probably guessed what NC Lake it is, but keep reading to get confirmation and see the other picturesque landscapes this man-made NC lake ranks amongst. That may be the most shocking part!

One of the best things Lake Tahoe has going for it, is that it is an ideal destination in both the winter and the summer months. The large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains sits on the boarder of California and Nevada. It offers skiing, water sports, hiking, and more. Learn more about visiting Lake Tahoe.

Number of Instagram Hashtags: 2,986,225 

Lake Michigan may be the highest-ranked Great Lake on this list, but it's not the only one! The second largest of the Great Lakes spans the entire west coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, portions of Illinois, and the eastern coast of Wisconsin. Lake Michigan is also the only one of the five Great Lakes that is located entirely within the United States. Learn more here.

Number of Instagram Hashtags: 2,788,904 

I have fallen in love with the gulf beaches. And while I haven't been all the way to Clearwater I've been to some of the nearby beaches and they are a sight to see. The widest beaches I've ever seen, paired with the whitest sand and bluest water on continental US soil. I'd much rather fly to this area than drive to an NC/SC beach. Learn more here.

Number of Instagram Hashtags: 1,298,877 

Lake Superior is not only the largest of the Great Lakes, it's also the largest freshwater lake in the world. Deep blue waters, rocky landscapes, white sandy beaches, forests, and waterfalls are some of what makes it so picturesque. Learn more here.

Number of Instagram Hashtags: 1,157,663 

Lake Ontario sits between New York and Canada and is actually the smallest of the Great Lakes. Visitors enjoy fishing, boating, and swimming in the summer months. The areas surrounding Lake Ontario including Rochester and Oswego see their fair share of lake effect snow during the winter months. Learn more here.

Number of Instagram Hashtags: 1,007,124 

Perhaps just because it's not as populated is why Hawaii's Waikiki Beach is third on this list? I'd choose this destination over any other mentioned without hesitation. It's located on the south shore of Honolulu and is home to a number of resorts. Also, it's Hawaii. Need I say more? Learn more about Waikikki Beach here.

Number of Instagram Hashtags: 969,640 

And yes, it's Lake Norman that represents North Carolina on this list. I've already said I don't particularly get it. Nothing against Lake Norman, it just wouldn't be one of my top spots nationwide. But to each their own. Learn more about Lake Norman here.

Number of Instagram Hashtags: 640,978