California becomes first state to ban single-use plastic bags

New York -- It’s official: California Governor Jerry Brown on Tuesday signed legislation for the nation's first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags at supermarkets, drug stores and select other retail outlets.



"This bill is a step in the right direction — it reduces the torrent of plastic polluting our beaches, parks and even the vast ocean itself," Brown said in a signing statement. "We're the first to ban these bags, and we won't be the last."



The new law will be phased in, and goes into effect for large grocery stores, including Walmart and Target, and pharmacies beginning July 1, 2015. It will extend to convenience stores and liquor stores July 1, 2016. The law does not apply to bags used for fruits, vegetables or meats, or to shopping bags used at other retailers



Under the law, stores will be required to offer customers recycled paper bags or bags made of compostable material at a cost of at least 10 cents.



Shortly after the bill was signed, a coalition of plastic bag manufacturers, the American Progressive Bag Alliance, said it would start seeking votes as it works to overturn the law via a referendum on the 2016 ballot.



“Our research confirms that the vast majority of California voters are opposed to legislation that bans recyclable plastic bags and allows grocers to charge and keep fees on other bags,” the organization said in a release.



Several cities, including San Francisco, and municipalities already have similar laws on the books. Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey are all considering imposing a tax on plastic bags that customers would have to pay, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.