California enacts statewide ban on single-use plastic bags

SACRAMENTO (Scrap Monster): The landmark plastic bag ban bill has been signed by Governor Jerry Brown on 30^th September, Tuesday into law.

The Senate Bill 270 bill proposed by Sen. Alex Padilla bans the use of single-use plastic shopping bags at check-out counters at grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and liquor shops. The paper, reusable and compostable bags will be charged 10 cents fee. However, the ban does not apply to non-food retail units such as clothing and electronics and for produce and meat taken out from grocery stores.

SB270 was approved by the State Assembly in its second attempt by a 44-29 vote on August 28^th. The bill in the first voting was rejected by a 37-33 vote, after falling short of supermajority by 4 votes.

The bill was then headed back to the Senate for a concurrence vote. Upon Senate’s approval, it was pending before the Governor for final signature.

The bill had faced strong opposition from the plastic and paper bag industry. The plastic bag industry has been opposing the bill from the beginning citing that this will lead to large number of job losses. The paper bag industry had raised strong campaign against levying 10 cents fee on reusable checkout bags.

The American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA) responded saying that it will seek a referendum to overturn California’s law. The group has three months to gather more than 500,000 valid signatures, to place a referendum on the November 2016 ballot.