Plastic bag ban finalized

The nation’s first statewide ban of plastic bags was signed by Gov. Jerry Brown Sept. 30, finalizing a contentious law and vindicating more than 100 California cities and counties—including Chico—that have already passed similar bans.

Under Senate Bill 270, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), grocery stores and pharmacies will cease distributing single-use plastic bags after July 2015; single-use bags will be banned from convenience and liquor stores the following year, according to a press release from the governor’s office. The legislation also offers up to $2 million in competitive loans to businesses transitioning to the production of reusable bags.

This past spring, the Chico City Council voted to prohibit grocery stores from offering single-use plastic carryout bags. Large retailers with grocery components must comply by Jan. 1. Smaller retailers that sell alcohol have an additional year to comply.