BELLINGHAM - A new survey of consumers and businesses in Bellingham shows widespread support of the plastic shopping bag ban that took effect Aug. 1, 2012.

The survey was conducted by Environment Washington Research & Policy Center, a statewide organization that supported the Bellingham ordinance and has campaigned for similar policies elsewhere.

Some survey findings:

? 59 percent of Bellingham respondents said the bag ban has prompted them to bring their own bag to the store more often. Today, over two-thirds of Bellingham shoppers are bringing their bags most or all of the time.

? 67 percent of Bellingham shoppers said that they agreed with the bag ban and said it was good for the environment.

? 85 percent of Bellingham businesses saw an increase in reusable bag usage after the bag ban.

Since the Bellingham ban, other cities, such as Seattle, have banned plastic bags using the Bellingham ordinance as a guide. Seven cities in Washington have banned plastic bags, according to Environment Washington, while Shoreline, Anacortes and Thurston County are discussing the issue.

Reach JOHN STARK at 715-2274 or john.stark@bellinghamherald.com . Read the Politics Blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/politics.