California plastic bags

"California lawmakers pass bill to ban single-use of plastic bags at stores"

by

Doug Stanglin

June 3rd, 2010

ONDEADLINE

The California Assembly has approved a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags at supermarkets, pharmacies, convenience stores and liquor stores, The Sacramento Bee reports.

The bill, which now goes to the state Senate, is aimed at encouraging consumers to bring or buy their own reusable bags.

Stores could also sell paper bags made of at least 40% recycled materials for 5 to 8 cents each, the newspaper says.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the passage of the bill that would make California the first state in the nation to enact such a ban.

Plastic News reports that plastic bag manufacturers and the American Chemistry Council support plastic bag recycling, not a ban.

They also argue that proposed ban, which would take effect in January 2012, threatens 500 jobs in California and could put two Los Angeles area plastic bag manufacturers out-of-business.

Seattle bag battle

American Chemistry Council fights a proposed Seattle plastic bag fee

The voters won in Seattle plastic bag battle but the war isn't over

Plastic bag issue--heating up

"Upcycling"...add to your vocabulary