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Portland City Council today unanimously approved a resolution to ban single-use plastic checkout bags in the future.

Though Mayor Sam Adams last week said the city would hold off on its ban while state legislators pursued a statewide plastic bag ban, the resolution passed today allows the city to pursue its own measure if the legislature doesn’t move forward with the statewide ban next year. It also means the city will support a statewide ban should that come to pass.

“Banning plastic bags isn’t the answer to ending petroleum use,” Commissioner Randy Leonard said. “But it’s a component. We cannot continue to use fossil fuels and expect our species to survive.”

The new rule bans the use of plastic or non-recycled paper carryout bags at grocery stores and pharmacies and requires stores to charge a minimum 5 cent fee for each recycled paper or compostable plastic bag it gives out. Stores are also required to provide free reusable bags to seniors and low-income residents.

Portland’s resolution will assist the legislature when it pursues a statewide ban on plastic bags next year, said Sen. Jackie Dingfelder, D-Portland.

“This will be one of the first bills we hear in my committee next session,” Dingfelder said.