Impact of COVID-19 on California’s Bag Ban
On April 23rd, 2020, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to lift the 10 cent charge on single-use bags, effective for 60 days. (This does not apply to the more than 100 jurisdictions that implemented local ordinances on single-use bags before Jan. 1, 2015.
While the Governor’s executive order in no way prohibits reusable bags, some stores took this step on their own. Additionally, a handful of County Public Health Officers included in their Social Distancing protocols the suggestion that reusable bags be left outside of stores.
While the use of reusable grocery bags was never linked to any virus transmission, we have no objection to the intent of these actions. However, when customers and store employees follow best practices as outlined in CAL-OSHA Health and safety guidance for grocery stores, the use of reusable bags is safe, and beneficial (environmentally and economically).
If customers bring their own bags, ensure:
Bags are not placed on conveyor belts or any other area outside of shopping carts.
Bags make no contact with employees.
Customers bag their own groceries.
Customers do not bag groceries in the checkout area if they cannot maintain physical distancing. Groceries can be placed in a cart and bagged elsewhere by the customer.
Increase the frequency of disinfection in bagging areas used by customers.
Some jurisdictions like Mendocino County adopted a model protocol (page 13) to promote the continued safe use of reusable bags during the pandemic.
If bringing reusable bags into your store has been restricted, we recommend placing your groceries in the cart and bagging them in your own bag outside of the store.
While the health and safety of the public is of the utmost importance, it is not mutually exclusive with the reduction of single-use plastic. In fact, according to a recent study, the virus may last longer on plastic than any other material.