Waste Reduction
Plastic Bag Ban
To reduce the number of single-use plastic bags, and to promote the use of reusable, compostable or recycled content checkout bags in San Francisco.
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Plastic bags are a source of litter -- they clog up recycling sorting equipment, and contaminate the streams of both recycling and composting material. After state laws prohibited local governments from imposing fees on plastic bags, the City passed an ordinance prohibiting supermarkets and chain pharmacy stores from using disposable plastic bags at checkout counters. The Plastic Bag Reduction Ordinance, passed November 20, 2007, requires supermarkets and retail pharmacies to use properly labeled compostable plastic bags certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute, 100% recycled paper bags made with at least 40% post consumer content, and/or reusable checkout bags.
The Department of the Environment partnered with external agencies such as Bay Area Recycling Outreach Coalition, Integrated Waste Management Board, Sunset Scavenger Company and ChicoBag in order to launch the “Bring Your Own Bag” campaign. This social marketing campaign also distributes San Francisco Environment bags made from scrap cloth.
All stores were in compliance before the Ordinance came into effect.
Organizations supporting the ban on plastic bags included a wide range of local environmental organizations, as well as local urban planning organizations, the Arab Grocers Association, and the city’s refuse hauler.
The plastic bag industry and the California Grocers Association opposed the plan. Industry groups representing the plastic bag industry are concerned about a loss of revenue stemming from the ban; however, the grocers now support the concept of a statewide fee for all bags.
Violators face penalties in an amount up to $100 dollars for the first violation, up to $200 for the second, and a maximum of $500 for all subsequent violations within a year.
Although research indicates that a fee on check-out bags is the best way to achieve an effective ban on plastic bags, state laws currently prohibit cities from assessing bag fees.
The plastics industry, represented by the Coalition to Save the Plastic Bag, has taken an aggressive stance against subsequent jurisdictions that have pursued similar bans. The industry contention is that cities need to conduct an environmental impact assessment before proceeding with legislation.
San Francisco has the goal of attaining 75% diversion from landfill by 2010, and zero waste by 2020.
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