What’s the news about? [originaltext] When you hear the word "biodegradable,"

When you hear the word "biodegradable," people are talking about trash.  So, what happens to waste that can’t be broken down? Well, it piles up in landfills around the country. That’s part of the reason why San Francisco decided to ban plastic bags. This decision is having an immediate impact on checkout lines at the grocery store’
     The California Grocers Association says regular plastic bags cost a penny or two. Paper’s 5 to 8 cents. Special biodegradable bags are 10 to 16 cents. Mayor Gavin Newsom says San Francisco considered charging grocers a fee on each plastic bag. The mayor says grocers used their political muscle at the state level and got the legislature to prohibit cities from imposing such a charge.  With no power to slow the spread of plastic bags, the city banned them.