Starting March 27, 2015 stores that sell perishable or nonperishable goods including clothing, food and personal items can no longer provide single use plastic carryout bags to customers.

• Affected stores must charge a minimum of $0.10 per bag for each recycled paper bag or reusable bag.
• Consumers are encouraged to bring any type of bag to a store for their purchases
• The ordinance does not include single use protective bags used to protect and transport produce, bulk foods, prescription medication, and meats to the cashier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do we need a Reusable Bag Ordinance?

Single use plastic bags plague our waterways, oceans and natural environments, causing immeasurable harm to marine species and communities. Californians use 19 billion plastic bags every year, creating 150,000 tons of waste. Only 15% of plastic bags are recycled in California. The reusable bag ordinance is intended to encourage the use of reusable bags while reducing litter and keeping plastic bags out of local waterways.—Source: Save our Shores

Keeping Bags Clean

The fabric or materials in reusable grocery bags can get contaminated with germs like Salmonella or E. coli from food or other items. These germs could then cross-contaminate other food or items we carry in the reusable bag and make us sick. See Care of Reusable Bags for information on how to care for your reusable bags

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