Mar 6 - Cupertino, Half Moon Bay Adopt Plastic Bag Ordinances

Two more cities, Cupertino and Half Moon Bay, joined the growing list of communities in California that are banning single-use plastic bags. Both city councils adopted plastic bag ordinances at their March 5 meetings.

Cupertino’s ordinance restricts any retail establishment from giving single-use plastic bags to customers, but allows them to offer recycled paper bags at a charge of 10 cents apiece. The ordinance takes effect on Oct. 1, 2013.

Half Moon Bay’s ordinance takes place in two stages. It goes into effect this Earth Day (April 22). Retail establishments are restricted from giving out single use plastic bags, but may make recycled paper bags available at a charge of 10 cents apiece. Effective Jan. 1, 2015, the charge for recycled paper bags will increase to 25 cents apiece.

As of March 5, 67 cities or counties in California are covered under adopted bag ordinances. See the list here.

More local governments are expected to follow. On March 4, Burlingame and Brisbane both approved initial readings of their bag ordinances (similar to Half Moon Bay and the San Mateo County model ordinance). Adoptions of these ordinances could occur as early as March 18.

Find out more about our campaign to end single use plastic bags or start a local ordinance in your community by using our bag ban tool kit.

In the legislature, a statewide measure to ban plastic bags and allow reusable, paper, and compostable plastic bags has been introduced. Find out more about Senate Bill 405 by Senator Padilla.

Photo Credit: Half Moon Bay Review