The Delmar Farmers’ Market will prohibit the use of plastic bags by vendors for the May 5 kickoff of its 10th season. The change affirms the market’s long-time mission to promote environmental awareness, lead the way in sustainability, and serve as a responsible template for farmers’ markets across the state, according to a release from the market.

Recognizing the cost associated with the transition, the market will provide 100-percent post-consumer, waste-recycled paper bags to market vendors for customers not already bringing their own containers — something vigorously promoted by market staff and that many market patrons have done for years.

In making its announcement, the market listed these facts about plastic bags:

— It takes 12 million barrels of oil to supply the United States with one year’s worth of plastic bags;

— At least 95 percent of plastic bags end up in landfills, on streets, or in the waterways. Very few are recycled. Those that are recycled can only be made into low-quality plastic products. More than 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles are killed each year by eating or becoming tangled in plastic bags; and

— Dozens of countries around the world have banned or put a fee on plastic bags and in the U.S. over 200 counties and municipalities have enacted ordinances imposing a fee on plastic bags or banning them including all counties in Hawaii.