Apr 26 - Santa Clara County Passes Bag Ban

* Update: Santa Clara County passed the plastic bag ban! Thanks for your support!

Santa Clara County is considering a single-use plastic bag ban and 15 cent minimum price requirement on single-use paper bags on April 26, 2011. CAW will be there in support of the ordinance.

According to county staff, plastic makes up 60 percent of litter found in Bay Area creeks. California taxpayers contribute more than $3 million each year to the statewide cleanup of bags scattered across beaches and highways. If passed, the ordinance will take effect January 1, 2012, and would apply to 72 retailers that distribute paper and/or plastic single-use carryout bags in unincorporated areas. County staff report those businesses hand out about 832,000 bags total each year. The ordinance would not apply to restaurants, fast-food establishments, and non-profit retailers. Participants of low-income programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are also exempt.

Find out more and take action here.