California's new law on banning plastic bags is said to take effect in Jan. 1, 2015. Several cities and state counties have opted to follow the same ban on plastic bags following the move by San Francisco when it outlawed them back in 2007.
A legislative study of the bill reveals that every year, California would spend $25 million for the disposal of its plastic bags which have reached a massive total number of 14 billion. Two percent of California's overall waste is made up of plastic bags which usually end up in the ocean and form part of its marine debris.
The bill, which is formally identified as 'SB270 Single Use Grocery Bags,' indicates that supermarkets and pharmacies all over the state shall phase out using plastic bags beginning in July 1, 2015. Liquor stores and convenience stores shall follow the same on the year after that wherein the stores will stop the distribution of plastic bags.
"This bill is a step in the right direction - it reduces the torrent of plastic polluting our beaches, parks and even the vast ocean itself," said California Gov. Jerry Brown.
The law also indicates that stores will be allowed to provide shoppers with reusable film grocery bags for a minimum price of 10 cents. Low-income customers who are recipients of the government's supplemental food programs will be provided with a recycled or reusable bag at no additional cost.
According to the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), California stores purchased around 53,000 tons of plastic bags in 2009. However, only 3 percent of these plastic bags were recycled.
Out of all the bills that were passed, the SB270 was one of the most observed bill proposals for the year. It has faced a strong opposition from unions, grocers and plastic bag makers who warned lawmakers that it could lead to job losses and to damages brought by the 10-cent extra charge for reusable bags.
A group made up of plastic bag makers is already collecting signatures that will place a referendum in time for the 2016 U.S. elections.
"Since state lawmakers failed their constituents by approving this terrible bill, we will take the question directly to the public and have great faith they will repeal it at the ballot box," said executive director Lee Califf of the American Progressive Bag Alliance.
The legislation addresses the concerns on job losses by allotting $2 million in loans that would help plastic bag makers in transitioning their operations to manufacture recyclable bags.
