SACRAMENTO, CA -The California Grocers Association (CGA) applauded legislation earlier this week that would ban the free distribution of single-use carryout bags and require the sale of single-use recycled paper bags to customers.
Assembly Bill 1998 would create a California standard for single-use carryout bags at supermarkets, chain pharmacies, and grocery retailers beginning January 1, 2012, and at convenience stores, neighborhood markets, and liquor stores beginning July 1, 2013.
"AB 1998 creates a uniform, statewide standard to help level the playing field among food retailers," said California Grocers Association President Ronald Fong. "It addresses the issue of single-use carryout bags across all California jurisdictions and provides the most environmental gain with the least competitive disruption for retailers."
The CGA's green efforts include extensive recycling efforts. It also supported AB 2449, a landmark plastic carryout bag recycling bill that became California law in 2007.
Fong said that Californians were likely to embrace the behavioral change required by the legislation. "Like AB 2449, our industry will do all it can to educate consumers to the benefits of reusable bags. Having until 2012 will allow grocers to move consumer behavior towards reusable bag use."