Plastic Bag Ban Begins on Earth Day

On Earth Day, April 22, 2013, the City of Pacifica Reusable Bag Ordinance will launch, requiring that City retailers no longer provide customers with plastic carryout bags. On that day, Pacifica joins other cities and counties that encourage the use of reusable bags, promoting healthier environments for citizens through the decreased use of single-use plastic bags.

This "bag ban" is the result of sobering news that in California, 20 billion single-use plastic grocery bags are used every year, which end up in landfills, or as litter on land and in water.

The ban will apply to all City and County retail outlets, including grocery stores, convenience  stores, pharmacies and other shops. It does not apply to plastic bags used for restaurant food  take-outs or for produce, meats, bulk foods and prescription medicines. Shop owners are  encouraged to return any unused plastic bags to their vendors for repurposing and/or refund.

lf retail customers do not bring a reusable bag, the retailer will charge them 10-cents per paper  bag until Jan. 1, 2015, after which a 25-cent per bag charge may apply. Shoppers using reusable bags are encouraged to practice "healthy bag habits" that include washing reusable bags regularly to remove bacteria and other potential food contaminants. Other recommendations for bag  safety can be found on the Pacifica website www.cityofgacifica.org or the San Mateo County Health System website.

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