In their efforts to decrease the amount of plastic bags entering the environment and in response to increased local costs associated with cleaning up litter and marine debris, many communities are choosing to ban the distribution of plastic shopping bags in large grocery stores and pharmacies. Learn more about these regulations.

Municipalities with Ordinances Enacted:

Fairfax:

Fairfax adopted its ban on plastic bags August 2007 and will go into effect March 2008. The ban requires the use of compostable plastic, recycled paper, or reusable bags. Fairfax's ban is to be confirmed by ballot soon.

Los Angeles County:

Los Angeles County adopted a program in January 2008 that requires retailers to meet specified plastic bag reduction and recycling benchmarks or face automatic bans. LA County is currently working with its 88 cities to pass bag control measures county-wide.

Oakland:

Oakland banned plastic bags from stores with high annual sales in July 2007, duplicating San Francisco's ordinance in its requirement that disposable bags be made either of compostable plastic or recyclable paper with a minimum recycled content. Stores will have to comply January 2008. The City is currently responding to a lawsuit filed against it by plastic bag manufacturers.

Oakland Ordinance>>

San Francisco:

San Francisco became the first city in the nation to ban plastic shopping bags from large grocery stores and pharmacies in March 2007. The San Francisco ordinance requires that large grocery stores and pharmacies use only reusable bags, recyclable paper bags made with recycled paper, or compostable bags.

San Francisco Ordinance>>

Municipalities Currently Considering Ordinances:

Berkeley:

Berkeley is currently considering a San Francisco-style ban on plastic bags. 

Palo Alto:

Palo Alto is currently considering an ordinance of some sort to curtail the use of disposable bags.

Mendocino County:

The cities of Mendocino County are considering a plan to reduce the use of disposable bags. 

Santa Monica:

Santa Monica staff have urged its City Council to draft a total ban on plastic bags in the City, as well as require a fee on paper bags.

San Jose:

San Jose is currently considering an ordinance that would ban plastic bags.

Sonoma County:

The cities of Sonoma County are considering a plan to reduce the use of disposable bags.

Additional Resources:

• Model Ordinance Language
• LA County Bag Staff Report
• Santa Monica Bag Staff Report