Summary.
AB 2449 requires all CA grocery stores to take back and recycle plastic grocery bags. The bill also requires retailers to provide consumers with a bag reuse opportunity. Retailers and manufactures will be required to implement a public education program, and all bags must be labeled 'Please Return to a Participating Store for Recycling.'

2008 Update: CAW and Asm. Lloyd Levine to Strengthen AB 2449>>

Status.
AB 2449 was signed by the Governor on September 30, 2006 and its provisions will go into effect July 1, 2007. Read Governor Schwarzenegger's signing message.

Description.
Starting July 1, 2007, AB 2449 has established a 6 year pilot program requiring most large grocery stores and other retailers to create an in-store recycling program for the collection and recycling of plastic 'carry out' bags. The program will include:

• Labeling bags to return to the store for recycling.
• Placing recycling bins in visible and accessible locations for customers.
• The provision of reusable bags for customers to potentially purchase and use in lieu of disposable ones.

In addition, plastic bag manufacturers would be required to work with the grocery stores on their programs to help ensure the proper collection, transportation and recycling of the plastic bags.

Special Note on Local Pre-emption: As part of the legislative compromise to gain adoption of the recycling provisions of this bill, representatives of Californians Against Waste, the League of California Cities, and the author agreed to language that would pre-empt local agencies in California from adopting fees and recycling requirements on affected retailers. This was a difficult compromise to make, especially since CAW has been an advocate of advance disposal fees at the local level to promote recycling for more than 20 years. But, unfortunately, no one has ever been successful in getting a single local government to adopt a fee or recycling mandate of plastic grocery bags. Indeed, despite a rigorous effort in 2004 and 2005, even San Francisco was unwilling to take on retailers with a bag recycling fee. CAW believes AB 2449 represents a good step in the right direction.

CAW Staff Contacts:
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422

Supporters:
Alameda County Waste Management Authority
Californians Against Waste
California League of Conservation Voters
Planning & Conservation League
Sea Turtle Restoration Project
City of Adelanto
City of Millbrae
Sierra Club California
Poly-America (maker of recycled plastic trash bags)
Trex (maker of recycled plastic lumber)

Additional Resources:

• FactSheet: AB 2449's Provisions went into Effect July 1, 2007>>
  
• Plastic Bag Waste Reduction
  
• For Grocers: AB 2449 Compliance Links
• AB 2449 Bill Language