Mexico City, one of the most populated and most polluted metropolitan areas in the world, has banned non-biodegradable plastic bags from the retail sector.

The ban will effect grocery stores, pharmacies and other shops that have been selling the bags which are one of the most common forms of litter in the world.

And the ban, which went into effect on Wednesday, will be felt hard on Monday as the city begins its first full week without the commonplace grocery icon.

Meanwhile, in San Diego, a City Council meeting this week will decide if the city will join San Francisco and others in banning the wasteful bags.

While some cities and counties ban bags altogether, others simply tax them into oblivion. In Ireland, for example, plastic bags are taxed, leading to a 90% drop in retail use.