Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br />Reusable Bag Ordinance 2012-2 went into effect January 2013 and applies to 1,300 grocery, drug and liquor <br />stores in Alameda County that traditionally distribute a high volume of single-use bags. The ordinance promotes <br />the use of reusable bags to prevent waste from happening in the first place, as well as reducing litter and <br />keeping plastic bags out of local waterways. <br /> <br />Ordinance Requirements <br />As of January 1, 2013, affected stores can only distribute compliant reusable bags or bags made of recycled <br />content paper and only if the store charges a minimum price of 10 cents per bag, itemized on the receipt. <br /> <br />Ordinance Effectiveness <br />Since implementation, the reusable bag ordinance has had dramatic results: <br /> Overall bag purchases by affected Alameda County retail stores have declined by 85 percent. <br /> The number of shoppers bringing a reusable bag, or not using a bag at all, has more than doubled. <br /> A 44% decrease in plastic bags found in Alameda County Storm drains. <br /> Stores are participating with a compliance rate of 90%. <br /> <br />Ordinance Expansion <br />Given the effectiveness of the current ordinance, the Waste Management Authority (WMA) Board has directed <br />staff to plan for an expansion of the reusable bag ordinance to include all retail stores and restaurants. The <br />WMA is expected to vote on an amended ordinance at the first reading in September, 2016. If approved, an <br />additional 13,000 stores and restaurants would be affected by the ordinance. <br /> <br />TIMELINE <br />January 2012 Reusable Bag Ordinance 2012-2 adopted by WMA Board. The ordinance covers <br />approximately 1300 stores that sell packaged food and liquor. Board stated it would <br />consider possible expansion of the ordinance at a later time, once effectiveness of <br />original ordinance was determined. <br /> <br />January 2013 Ordinance became effective in all Alameda County jurisdictions. Single-use plastic bags <br />no longer available at stores that sell milk, bread, soda, and snack foods as well and/or <br />liquor. A minimum of 10 cents must be charged for each paper bag or reusable bag <br />distributed at point of sale, itemized on receipt. <br /> <br />September 2014 WMA Board finds that ordinance has achieved its goal to substantially reduce <br />environmental impacts. <br /> <br />October 2014 WMA Board approved process for expansion activities; directed staff to further develop <br />budget and scope for potential expansion of the ordinance. WMA supported the need <br />for buy in from all member agencies that participate in the current ordinance. <br /> <br />March 2015 Alameda County Clean Water Program committed $180,000 in funding support for <br />expansion of ordinance to a larger set of stores. <br /> <br />July 2015 WMA committed additional funding and staff hours to conduct research and <br />stakeholder outreach relating to ordinance expansion activities.