It is official, the State of California is the first state to have a law passed the covers the entire state for bag regulations. On November 8, 2016, voters approved Proposition 67 for a statewide ban of single-use bags.
The ban takes place immediately. Senate Bill 270 is now in effect. Grocery stores, retail stores with pharmacies, convenient stores, food marts and liquor stores will no longer be allowed to provide single-use carry out bags to their customers. Stores will charge $0.10 per paper bag or reusable bag distributed at these establishments.
The statewide law allows municipalities to continue to operate under their own ordinances if they were adopted prior to January 1, 2015. Communities that adopted after this date must now comply with SB270.
The following cities and counties are required to void their existing ordinances and adopt the statewide bill:
- American Canyon
- Cathedral City
- Corte Madera
- Del Mar
- Hermosa Beach
- Mammoth Lakes*
- Milpitas
- Napa County
- Sacramento City
- Sacramento County
- San Diego*
- Santa Barbara County
- Yountville
*Mammoth Lakes and San Diego have sunset clauses upon the passage of SB 270 (Proposition 67).
For more details, please see our website: https://baglaws.com/legislation.php?state=California#StatewideLegislation
or the Frequently Asked Questions provided by the State of California: https://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/Plastics/CarryOutBags/FAQ.htm#Ordinances
Make sure to keep checking our website for updates on single use bag legislation that is pending or being implemented. Our retail packaging specialists stay on top of the ever changing market conditions. Let us help you navigate bag legislation in the municipalities you sell into and select the best packaging for your stores. We hope that you will contact us by phone at 888-429-5673 or via email at baglaws@swalter.com.
