Good news – Philly is thisclose to banning an environmental catastrophe – in the form of plastic bags.

Yesterday, Philly’s City Council’s Committee on the Environment voted unanimously to approve legislation banning plastic bags used in supermarkets, pharmacies and stores. The typical plastic bags must be replaced after July 1, 2011 with recyclable paper bags, compostable plastic bags or reusable bags.

Part of the ban will also include