AB 87 (Davis, 2009-10) - Offsetting the Costs of Single-Use Bag Litter
Summary.
Requires that consumers pay a $0.25 fee for single-use bags distributed at large grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores.
Position and Status.
CAW Supports. This bill died with the close of the legislative session. Previously, the bill passed out of Asm NR April 13 with a 6-3 vote.
Description.
This bill would offset the environmental costs associated with single-use carryout bags litter, reduce the littering of plastic bags and incentivize the use of reusable bags. Plastic bags are among the most-often littered items in urban areas. Urban litter accounts for the vast majority of dangerous marine debris pollution. In some areas of the Pacific, plastic already outweighs plankton by a factor of 46! The bill would put a fee on all single-use carryout bags which can be avoided by consumers by using reusable bags. A similar approach in Ireland reduced plastic bag usage by over 90%. Consumers are currently paying for the costs of bag litter twice: first in the form of increased grocery costs to pay for the bags and second in taxes to fight litter. The bill would potentially reduce costs to consumers through grocery bills and taxes by decreasing bag usage and providing local governments with money to fight litter.
CAW Staff Contacts.
Mark Murray (916) 443-5422
Assembly Member Mike Davis
State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-319-2048
Support.
County of Los Angeles (sponsor)
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Breathe California
California State Association of Counties
Californians Against Waste
City of Glendale
City of Torrance
Coalition for a Safe Environment Long Beach boardmembers Weeks and Maciel
earthpins
Long Beach Coalition for a Safe Environment
Los Angeles County Solid Waste Management Committee
Marin Sanitary Service
Sierra Club California
Tamalpais Community Services District
Opposition.
Cal-Tax
California Film Extruders & Converters Association
California Grocers Association
California Independent Grocers Association
Current Language, Analyses and Votes.
Additional Resources: