On Tuesday Governor Jerry Brown signed the nation's first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags from grocery and convenience stores in an effort to take action against pollution in streets and waterways.
The law is expected to take effect in 2015. Law SB270 forces large retail stores such as Walmart and Target to phase out plastic bags from their check out lines by next summer, with pharmacies and convenience stores following in 2016. Bags used for vegetables and fruits do not apply to this rule. Grocers will also be allowed to charge at least ten cents for paper bags.
The bill also includes $2 million in loans to assist manufacturers in the transition to reusable bags, which is the replacement focus that law makers are aiming for. Using reusable bags will pay large environmental dividends according to researchers, and was apparently the chief reason for this bill being pushed so hard by law makers.
Despite supposedly altruistic motives, the ban was not without its detractors. A larger coalition of plastic bag manufacturers immediately pushed back. They have stated that they will seek a voter referendum to repeal the law before it goes into effect next year. The American Progressive Bag Alliance has repeatedly pushed for ending any laws banning the use of plastic bags and claims that passing the bill would lead to a loss of jobs in the industry of plastic bags.
Lee Califf, executive director of the manufacturer trade group released a statement that said, "If this law were allowed to go into effect, it would jeopardize thousands of California manufacturing jobs, hurt the environment and fleece consumers for billions so grocery store shareholders and their union partners can line their pockets."
Other organizations such as The American Forest and Paper Association believe that the bill misrepresents plastic products and will lower the standard for recyclable products.
State Senator Alex Padilla, D-Los Angeles and San Francisco says that the bill comes from similar legislation already taking place in more than 100 cities and countries that have already enforced such bans. He is confident that voters will not repeal the law and that it will proceed as scheduled. In regards to the jobs, Padilla said that the $2 million loan can also be used to assist with employment issues.
Other states that have been planning legislation to ban single use plastic bags include Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and even territory Puerto Rico. The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that the bills are currently pending.