How to use plasticbaglaws.org
Plastic bag manufacturers are engaged in a well funded battle to maintain an unregulated marketplace for their product. Cities generally lack the funding and central organization available to industry groups and are faced with a steep learning curve regarding the complexities of plastic bag laws, which is often accompanied by the threat of litigation.
In an effort to facilitate research for cities and states interested in adopting plastic bag laws, we have compiled the text of laws, related litigation, and relevant studies. Our hope is that having this information available in one place will lead to the adoption of more plastic bag laws.
plasticbagslaws.org Expands Focus to New York City
In the summer of 2012, Jennie R. Romer of plasticbaglaws.org became the Atlantic Region Director of the Clean Seas Coalition, based in New York City. The CSC is the west coast group that is one of the unifying forces behind the successful push for single-use bag ordinances in California, and is now expanding its focus to the east coast and specifically NYC. To get involved please register at BagItNYC.org.
Viable policy options include:
- bans on single-use carryout bags
- charges for single-use carryout bags
- second generation plastic bag bans (incl charge on paper & reusable) (standard structure in California)
- credits for bags supplied by the customer
A short history of plastic bag laws in California
California state law (AB 2449) preempts municipalities from charging a fee for plastic bags at checkout. San Francisco circumvented this law by enacting a ban on plastic bags instead of imposing a fee. (read more . . .)
