California inks USA's first statewide ban on single use plastic bags at grocery and convenience stores

01-Oct-14

Pollution in the streets and waterways has pushed California state Governor to sign the nation's first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at grocery and convenience stores, as per Associated Press. Under SB270, plastic bags will be phased out of checkout counters at large grocery stores and supermarkets starting summer of 2015, and convenience stores and pharmacies in 2016. The law does not apply to bags used for fruits, vegetables or meats, or to shopping bags used at other retailers. It allows grocers to charge a fee of at least 10 cents for using paper bags. A national coalition of plastic bag manufacturers immediately said it would seek a voter referendum to repeal the law, which is scheduled to take effect in July 2015.