Both The State Senate and Assembly approved a bill that would phase out single-use plastic bags in California grocery stores, convenience stores, liquor stores and pharmacies. With the bill now being considered by the Governor, bill author, Senator Alex Padilla, says he feels Jerry Brown will see the benefits in the bill.

Click here to listen to Senator Padilla

SB 270 will:

• Prohibit, beginning July 1, 2015, grocery stores and pharmacies from making available single-use plastic bags.
If paper bags are offered to customers, they would have to include recycled content.

• Prohibit, beginning July 1, 2016, convenience stores and liquor stores from making available single-use plastic
bags.

• Grandfather in existing local ordinances.

• Provide up to $2 million in competitive loans to businesses transitioning to the manufacture of reusable bags.

The Governor has 30 days to sign or veto the bill.