Plastic Bag Bill Ban Moves Ahead In Sacramento
Editor's note: In our original story, we stated that the proposed law would ban paper bags. If the bill is passed, recycled paper bags would be available for a small price.
Ed Joyce
KPBS
06/01/2010
California — A bill being considered by the California State Assembly Friday would enact a statewide ban on plastic bags at grocery stores.
The wind blows a plastic bag around the beach near the Manhattan Beach Pier August 21, 2008 in Manhattan Beach, California.
If passed and signed into law by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the legislation would prohibit supermarkets and convenience stores from distributing plastic bags. Recycled paper bags would be available for a reasonable price.
The law would go into effect January 1, 2012.
It also requires retailers to offer reusable bags for sale.
Angela Howe is with the Surfrider Foundation. She said volunteers collected 71,000 plastic bags from state waterways during last year's international coastal cleanup day.
"Plastic bags are an eyesore," said Howe. "The plastic pollution affects 267 species every year and kills or injures 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals every year."
