Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law Senate Bill 270 which will phase out single-use plastic bags in the state of California. The bill was joint authored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles) and Ricardo Lara (D-Huntington Park/Long Beach).
The bill goes into effect on January 1, 2015.
Padilla said he applauded Governor Brown for signing SB 270 into law.
“He continues to lead our state forward with a commitment to sustainability,” Senator,” Padilla said. “A throw-away society is not sustainable. This new law will greatly reduce the flow of billions of single-use plastic bags that litter our communities and harm our environment each year. Moving from single-use plastic bags to reusable bags is common sense. Governor Brown’s signature reflects our commitment to protect the environment and reduce government costs.”
Padilla said single-use plastic bags litter beaches, mountains, deserts, rivers, streams and lakes.
“SB 270 addresses this problem while striking the right balance,” he said. “It protects the environment as well as California jobs as we transition to reusable bags and a greener economy.”
The new law will:
• Prohibit, beginning July 1, 2015, grocery stores and pharmacies from making available single-use plastic bags.
• Prohibit, beginning July 1, 2016, convenience stores and liquor stores from making available single-use plastic bags.
• Grandfather in existing local ordinances.
• Provide up to $2 million in competitive loans to businesses transitioning to the manufacture of reusable bag
Each year, more than 13 billion single-use plastic bags are handed out by retailers. According to CalRecycle, just 3 percent are actually recycled in California.
