Bill Project

Recycling Plastic Bags

Early one morning, Assemblyman Levine of Los Angeles was going for a run and came across dozens of plastic bags stuck in trees and littered on the ground fouling the environment. It was then when Assemblyman Levine got the idea for and introduced Assembly Bill 2058.

AB 2058 would prohibit a store from providing plastic grocery bags to customers after July 1, 2012, unless the stores can prove that there will be a 70 percent decrease in the amount of plastic bags being used.

Stores must also prove that there will be a 35 percent decrease in the number of plastic grocery bags during a 12-month period by Dec. 31, 2010. If a decrease in use is not seen, the bill would mandate stores to sell plastic bags to customers for 15 cents per bag as an alternative.

AB 2058 builds upon the provisions of AB 2449 that passed 2006 and became law in July 2007. AB 2449 introduced by Assemblyman Levine says that stores that have over 10,000 square feet of retail space need to provide recycling bins where customers can return their plastic bags to be recycled.

The Californians Against Waste Organization describes the terms of AB 2449, that requires stores to provide the recycling of plastic bags and also demands to make reusable bags available to consumers for purchase.

Brianna Southern who worked for Trader Joe’s in San Francisco, said, “When I worked at Trader Joe’s in 2007 it was a general consensus among employees that using plastic bags was a hassle because they were harder to pack and bad for the environment,”

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors started the trend to recycle plastic bags. In a San Francisco Chronicle article, by Charlie Goodyear, Ross Mirkarimi said, “ I am astounded and surprised by the worldwide attention… hopefully, other cities and other states will follow suit.”

San Francisco started the beginning of what AB 2058 has become. If this bill passes it will be a groundbreaking measure to help our environment statewide.

What is the Purpose of this Bill?

Assemblyman Levine talked about the purpose of the bill and said, “ this bill builds upon the success of Assembly Bill 2449, signed into law in 2006, which requires 7,000 retail outlets throughout California to establish a recycling program for plastic bags. Since its implementations AB 2449 has already resulted in a substantial increase in plastic recycling. Based on that success, it’s time to take the next step.”

In response, Guido Bucheli, a Sacramento resident said, “I think is a great idea that they charge you for plastic bags, it will enforce change”. Bucheli is the owner of three canvas bags and takes them with him when he goes grocery shopping. Bucheli said not only does it help the environment, but in the long run it saves money.

Bucheli thinks it would take time for people to adjust to the change. “You change your behavior for the environment. The strategy is to change consumers behavior,” said Bucheli.



Why is the Bill Important?

Plastic bags have helped many over the years, they make carrying groceries easier, but they bring many more complicated issues including environmental consequences.

An article in the San Francisco Chronicle said an estimated 180 million plastic bags are distributed to shoppers each year, just in San Francisco. “Made of filmy plastic, they are hard to recycle and easily blow into trees and waterways, where they are also blamed for killing marine life.” Another big issue is that they take up much needed landfill space and take away from disposing of other refuse.

One of the many reasons Assemblyman Levine introduced this bill is for environmental change. According to a recent study through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, they estimate, marine debris has negatively impacted at least 267 species around the world.

In April 2002, a dead juvenile Minke whale was found beached on the shores of France; researchers concluded the cause of death was attributed with approximately 2 pounds of plastic packing and supermarket bags found in its stomach.

Assemblyman Levine said, “California can act to mitigate the impact the state has on the environment.”

There are others who disagree with AB 2058 and it’s supporters. Grocery Sales Manager, Darrell Costello said, “I would have to say the bill would do no good for the environment.”

She thinks the way the bill is written it is too vague and it has many loop holes as well as weaknesses.

As the bill is proposed currently, it would cut back on the amount of plastic bag usage and it is “trading one problem for another,” said Costello.

The intent of the bill is to help the environment and to reduce the amount of plastic bag waste and pollution, while hopefully setting an example for other states.

Stores That Have to Comply with AB 2058:
They are “the same stores defined in AB 2449” Assemblyman Levine said. “Under AB 2449 the stores that have to provide recycling were defined in the following ways”
They have to meet the definition of a “supermarket”, and have over 10,000 square feet of retail space that generates sales or use tax pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniforms Local Sales and Use Tax Law.

The idea behind this bill is to target the places where most consumers receive their plastic bags, such as Vons, Ralph’s, Safeway, Walgreen’s, Rite-Aide and big box retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart. Assemblyman Levine said the overall idea is to include stores where people do their everyday shopping.

Opposition of AB 2058:

Kevin Frazier a 21-year-old, Woodland resident disagrees with AB 2058. “I believe it would cost more money to recycle plastic bags.” He believes that AB 2058 is only another excuse for political supporters to make money off of the general public.

Assemblyman Levine does not know just how many organizations that are against the bill. “It is too early to tell and my office has not received any letters in opposition,” said Assemblyman Levine.


Costello said, it is not necessarily true that we would pay 15 cents per bag. “Stores may charge 15 cents per bag, but it does not say they have to or will be made to.”

There are two successful models in the United States of stores charging for bags. The store Save-a-Lot does not provide free bags. Customers bring their own or they can buy bags at this store; Aldi’s supermarkets does the same. “This is an outstanding model because it puts the environmental responsibility where it belongs with each of us. Each person needs to take responsibility for their impact or resources,” said Costello.

Lourdes Ochoa a Woodland resident would be affected in a different way if the bill passed. For the last three years she has been taking care of her son’s dog Buzz. When she goes to the grocery store she uses those bags to clean up after the dog, which has worked great for her. “ He leaves a big surprise if you know what I mean, so I pick it up with the plastic bags that I get from the store.” “I can’t imagine paying for something I’ve been getting for free for all these years.”


Supporters of AB 2058:

In a Sacramento Bee article, reported by Rachel Leibrock said, “Sacramento City Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell recommended that Sacramento follow San Francisco’s lead. We’ve been talking a lot about the city going green and we need to take a look at issue,” Pannell said.

San Francisco has banned disposable plastic bags in grocery stores, and have replaced them with biodegradable, compostable bags.

Environmental groups support AB 2058 as well as some Waste Management employee who did not want to be named said they agree with the bill. Waste Management has already started many versions and various programs for plastic recycling.

How Much would the Bill Cost?
“The fiscal cost has not been determined at the time,” said Assemblyman Levine.


Will Californians Pay More for Some Products or Services?

It will only change if the measure passes and areas choose to charge a fee for plastic bags. If customers choose to continue using plastic bags they they’ll have to pay the fee. Stores will continue to push for customers to use other bags such as canvas or other types of environmentally friendly, reusable bags.

This bill is not hurting businesses, it is about changing consumer behavior.

“This legislation will shift responsibility and the expense of cleanup by creating a state program under which businesses will be responsible for the proliferation of litter from plastic bags,”
said Assemblyman Levine.