The Golden State Passes Bill Banning Single-Use Plastic Bags

California Hopes to Reduce Pollution

Aiming to reduce pollution, the state of California recently enacted the first law in the country that bans the use of single-use plastic bags in grocery stores. On July 1, 2015, California’s law will prohibit grocery stores and pharmacies from distributing these plastic bags. The law will also require stores to charge customers who use paper or compostable bags a 10-cent fee.

While environmentalists support this ban, organizations like the American Progressive Bag Alliance and the Retail Merchants Association are against it. These organizations claim that this law will raise costs for businesses. They also argue that some store employees may resist explaining to customers why they have to pay for something that used to be free.

Though California will be the first state to ban plastic bags, individual cities in California have already prohibited them. San Francisco, for example, passed an ordinance against single-use bags back in 2007. Some cities outside of California have taken similar actions. In 2010 for instance, Washington D.C. imposed a five-cent charge on customers who use plastic bags.

While this law faces opposition and may even confront legal challenges, it seems to be gaining support. Praising the bill, Gov. Jerry Brown said, “It will reduce the torrent of plastic polluting our beaches, parks and even the vast ocean itself.”

[Source: NPR ]

This is a very interesting topic! I remember when I was in San Francisco, and I was surprised by their policy. Now, I really like the concept. Good job! – Sylvan Bachhuber , Madison, WI (2015-01-07 17:17)
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