It's probably time to get those reusable canvas bags ready for your shopping trips -- if you're not using them already.

An ordinance regulating single-use bags (paper and plastic alike) is being prepared for cities in West Contra Costa by RecycleMore, the joint powers authority officially known as West County Integrated Waste Management.

The ordinance "would prohibit the free distribution of single-use carryout paper and plastic bags at the point of sale (i.e., checkout) for all retail establishments except restaurants and nonprofit charitable reuse organizations. An exception to the ban on single-use bags would be made for paper bags containing at least 40 percent recycled content, as long as the retail establishment charges at least five cents for each bag."

A similar regulation took effect at the beginning of the year in Alameda County, where merchants now charge customers for paper shopping bags if they don't bring their own reusable container.

A draft environmental impact report has been prepared and is open for public comment through March 4. Copies of the report are available at the Recyclemore offices at 1 Alvarado Square in San Pablo, and at the planning department offices in El Cerrito, Hercules, Pinole, Richmond and San Pablo. The ordinance would be in effect in those cities as well as unincorporated areas in West County.

The report is also online at www.recyclemore.com.