AB 1046 (Eggman & Gonzalez) Plastic Produce Bags

OVERVIEW

SB 1046 will reduce contamination in compost waste streams and reduce plastic waste by requiring pre-checkout bags in grocery stores to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable.

THE ISSUE

The average working life of a plastic bag is 15 minutes, and over 100 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide each year. In California, many of the plastic produce bags we use for our fresh fruits and vegetables while shopping in stores ends up in compost waste streams and thereby contaminates municipal compost facilities. This type of contamination not only increases microplastics in compost, but also leads to increased handling costs which in turn leads to higher rates for consumers. As local governments begin implementing the composting requirements set forth in 2016’s SB 1383 (Lara), it is critical that we work to ensure that our waste streams are as clean and uncontaminated as possible.

Several studies have shown that contamination in compost waste streams decreases when consumers have convenient access to compostable bags. In a 2018 food waste collection trial in New York City, compostable bags were found to be the most effective tool for reducing compost stream contamination. This same trial also found that consumers were able to more successfully collect and separate organic waste because of the convenience of already having a compostable bag on hand.

Position: Sponsored by Californians Against Waste
Contact: Nicole Kurian & Nick Lapis

Status: Signed by the Governor
Current language, analysis, and votes:  SB 1046