Sept 18 - El Cerrito Bans Plastic Bags, Polystyrene
El Cerrito became the second city in Contra Costa County to finalize an ordinance restricting single-use plastic bags yesterday, according to a story in the Contra Cost Times.
The ordinance, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, prohibits retailers from distributing plastic bags at checkout.
El Cerrito also passed an ordinance banning polystyrene food containers. Restaurants will be required to use take out containers that may be recycled, composted or reused. El Cerrito is now one of more than 60 communities covered under polystyrene ordinances.
More and more communities are acting to reduce plastic bag pollution; they’ve had enough of plastic bags clogging storm drains and littering roadsides and costing millions to clean up. Local ordinances now cover 81 communities, over one-third of California’s population.
If your community hasn’t banned the bag yet, check out our Bag Ban Tool Kit for ideas on how to get started.