The bag stops here

Members of the Chico City Council recently celebrated passing a plastic bag ban that, combined with similar ordinances in 127 other communities across the state, served as the “cattle prod” that encouraged the state Legislature to pass a statewide ban.

Mayor Scott Gruendl, Councilwoman Ann Schwab—who was credited for authoring the ban—and Mark Murray, executive director of Californians Against Waste, gathered in the Nord Avenue Safeway parking lot for a press conference on Monday (Oct. 6).

About 13 percent of consumers currently don’t use a bag, Murray said. Of those who do, 80 percent use plastic and 20 percent use paper. And for those concerned about picking up dog poop, plastic bags will still be available in the produce and vegetable sections of the stores.