DATE: December 10, 2015
TO: Council Sustainability Committee
FROM: Director of Utilities and Environmental Services
SUBJECT
Title
Reusable Bag Ordinance - Potential Expansion
End
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Committee reviews and comments on this report.
Body
BACKGROUND
In January 2012, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, also known as StopWaste, adopted a reusable bag ordinance. On February 28, 2012, the Hayward City Council opted into the County-wide ordinance that became effective on January 1, 2013. The ordinance applies to grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, liquor stores, pharmacies, drug stores or other entities that sell milk, bread, soda AND snack foods (all four items) and/or alcohol. Under the ordinance, reusable bags or bags made of recycled content paper may be provided, but only if the store charges a minimum price of 10 cents per bag.
According to a September 11, 2014 report to the StopWaste Board, as of June 2014, all affected stores had been inspected and 84% were found compliant with ordinance requirements. The report also states that the Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) found a 44% decrease in plastic bags found in storm drains between 2011 and 2014.
DISCUSSION
As detailed in a July 16, 2015 report to the StopWaste Board, a possible expansion of the current reusable bag ordinance is under consideration. Three outreach meetings targeted to retailers were held in Pleasanton, Union City, and Oakland in October 2015 (see Attachment I). Results of the meetings will be presented to the StopWaste Board on December 16, 2015.
The expanded ordinance may apply to restaurants and all retail establishments including clothing and electronics stores. The current ordinance applies to approximately 7,000 stores in the County and the expanded ordinance could apply to up to 12,000 additional businesses.
StopWaste has provided ...
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