CITY HALL, Manhattan — Single-use plastic bags are on their way out from city stores starting March 1 when a statewide ban goes into effect and bodega owners and some shoppers are not happy.

Starting March 1, all plastic carryout bags will be banned from distribution by anyone required to collect New York state sales tax. The ban is aimed at reducing pollution. Many are advocating for it.

Perhaps taking cues from San Francisco’s 2012 ordinance that banned stores from using plastic bags, designers may have found a mighty solution in the Spring 2016 elevated bodega sack—and its ...