The American Samoa Governor, Togiola Tulafono, has signed into law a ban on the distribution of plastic shopping bags to apply from early next year.
Togiola says the bill, which bans businesses from using plastic shopping bags in sales, is a step in the right direction towards protecting American Samoa natural beauty and land as well as sea creatures.
He said the new law will also preserve the environment for the benefit of future generations.
To allow a reasonable time for transition the law is to become effective 180-days from its signing day, August the 26th.
