Blog
Bag-law commentary and updates since 2010, preserved at their original addresses. The most recent post: "Reflecting on PlasticBagLaws.org," November 2025.
2025
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
- Bag Props on California’s ballot: Yes on 67, No on 65November 1, 2016
- Update on Oahu's plastic bag bans by Hawaii Public RadioAugust 6, 2016
- Short YouTube Videos by Jennie Romer Explaining the Intricacies of Plastic Bag LawsMay 21, 2016
- May 20th Hearing on New York Senate Bill That Would Preempt Local Carryout Bag FeesMay 13, 2016
- 5¢ Fee on Plastic Bags Is Approved by New York City CouncilMay 6, 2016
- Jennie Romer Profiled in The New YorkerApril 26, 2016
- NYC's #BYOBag Bill Moves Forward as 5-cent Fee With Majority SupportApril 25, 2016
- Upcoming plastic bag bill events in NYCFebruary 15, 2016
- Camel: "Albatross of the desert" (new video)February 13, 2016
2015
2014
- NYC City Council committee hears plastic bag bill Wednesday, law journal article about NYC bag bill now availableNovember 16, 2014
- NYC Bring Your Own Bag Week is Sept 15-21September 12, 2014
- California's Statewide Bag Bill Clears the Assembly, Heads to the SenateAugust 27, 2014
- Aspen, CO Win's Lawsuit Defending Their Carryout Bag OrdinanceAugust 19, 2014
- California's Statewide Bag Bill (SB 270) Passes Appropriations Committee and Heads to a Vote on the Assembly FloorAugust 15, 2014
- How Much Should A Carryout Bag Cost?June 9, 2014
- Press Conference For the Re-Introduction of NYC's Single-Use Bag Bill on Wednesday at 11amMarch 25, 2014
- S.T.O.P. Bags Student Conference in NYC This SaturdayFebruary 28, 2014
- RE-SCHEDULED: Screening of the Film "Bag It" at Columbia UniversityFebruary 9, 2014
2013
- Radio Segment About NYC's Proposed Plastic Bag LegislationDecember 12, 2013
- San Francisco's Expanded Plastic Bag Ban Upheld by Court of AppealDecember 12, 2013
- The Immortal Plastic Bag: a Short Film About Plastic Bags in NYCOctober 25, 2013
- Plastic Bag Bill Introduced in NYC Council, Awaits Hearing in Sanitation CommitteeSeptember 21, 2013
- NYC Plastic Bag Press Conference On the Steps of City Hall Tuesday Aug 20th at 11amAugust 18, 2013
- Jennie’s Ocean Voyage: Short Film Released About 5 Gyres North Atlantic Gyre Expedition by Jeneene ChatowskyAugust 3, 2013
- Jennie’s Ocean Voyage: Plastic Bag Sighted 142 Nautical Miles Out to SeaJuly 2, 2013
- Los Angeles City Bans Plastic BagsJuly 1, 2013
Press Release: New York City Takes On Plastic Bags - Council Member Brad Lander Discusses Upcoming Legislation This MondayJune 22, 2013- Jennie's Ocean Voyage: The Sea DragonJune 14, 2013
- Jennie's Ocean Voyage: There is a North Atlantic Garbage Patch, and I Need to See ItJune 12, 2013
- Sign a petiton to encourage a plastic bag reduction ordinance in NYC!June 8, 2013
Fundraiser for Plastic Research in the Ocean & Screening of Mini-Documentary About Plastic Bags in NYCMay 23, 2013- New York Times Article About Plastic Bag Laws in the USMay 19, 2013
- Video: Discussion of plastic bag laws and marine plastic pollution at Enfield Public Library facilitated by Jennie of plasticbaglaws.orgMay 19, 2013
- Manhattan SWAB 2013: "Bag It" Screening and Plastic Bag PanelMay 11, 2013
- New York City Students Hold Conference to Discuss Plastic Bag Bans: Council Member Pledges to Introduce LegislationMarch 4, 2013
- Join the "Ban the Bag NYC" Conference for High School Students on March 2ndFebruary 16, 2013
- Recent "Study" Relating E.coli Infections To Plastic Bag Bans Is MisguidedFebruary 8, 2013
- Using Categorical Exemptions for "Second Generation" Plastic Bag Bans in California: A Look at the Insightful San Luis Obispo County RulingJanuary 21, 2013
- City of San Jose Releases "Bring Your Own Bag" Ordinance Implementation ResultsJanuary 20, 2013
2012
- Canadian Plastics Industry Groups Files Lawsuit Regarding Toronto’s Ban That’s Eerily Similar to SPBC’s Litigation Strategy in CaliforniaNovember 26, 2012
- Internships Available at plasticbaglaws.orgNovember 26, 2012
- Join plasticbaglaws.org at a "5 Gyres" ocean plastic pollution presentation in NYCOctober 10, 2012
- Court Upholds San Francisco’s Expanded Single-Use Bag Ordinance, Rejects Plastic Industry Group’s LawsuitSeptember 13, 2012
- Victory: Illinois Governor Quinn Rejects Industry-Sponsored Plastic Bag Recycling BillAugust 26, 2012
- California Litigation Update: Disappointing Settlement of Carpinteria LawsuitJuly 10, 2012
- California Statewide Single-Use Bag Bill Passes Senate Committee on AppropriationsJuly 10, 2012
- Los Angeles County Reports a 95% Reduction in Single-Use Bags at Stores Covered by Bag OrdinanceJuly 10, 2012
- A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: my new law journal article about the plastics industry's involvement with plastic bag lawsJune 30, 2012
- PRESS RELEASE: SF’s Single-Use Bag Ordinance Wins in Court: Superior Court Rejects SPBC’s Request for Preliminary InjunctionJune 14, 2012
- LA City Council Votes to Move Forward with Plastic Bag OrdinanceMay 24, 2012
- City of Carpinteria's Demurrer Against SPBC's Complaint Overruled, Which Means the Case Will ContinueMay 22, 2012
- Fort Bragg Becomes the 48th California Municipality to Adopt a Plastic Bag Ordinance - LA City Is NextMay 20, 2012
- California Litigation Update: City of Carpinteria Files a Demurrer in Retail Food Code CaseMay 6, 2012
- Hilex Poly Appeals Prop 26 DecisionMay 4, 2012
- California Litigation Update - City of Carpinteria Sued by SPBC Over Retail Food Code But Not CEQAMarch 28, 2012
- LA County Wins Prop 26 LawsuitMarch 23, 2012
- LA County Prop 26 Hearing Continued Until March 23rdMarch 15, 2012
- SPBC v. City and County of San Francisco - Complaint postedMarch 4, 2012
- California Single-Use Bag Litigation UpdateFebruary 25, 2012
- San Francisco Board of Supervisors Unanimously Adopts Comprehensive Single-Use Bag OrdinanceFebruary 7, 2012
- Hearing on LA County Prop 26 Lawsuit Scheduled for March 15thFebruary 2, 2012
- San Luis Obispo's Plastic Bag Ban Passes!January 12, 2012
- Automated Phone Calls in SLO From "Doctor" Regarding Public Health Concerns Over Reusable Bags . . . Well, a Doctor of Music That IsJanuary 10, 2012
- This Wednesday: Final Vote on San Luis Obispo's Single-Use Bag OrdinanceJanuary 8, 2012
- LA County Prop 26 Hearing ContinuedJanuary 4, 2012
- Other California Plastic Bag Laws That Took Effect January 1st: Santa Clara County, Marin County, expansions of LA County & City of Long Beach OrdinancesJanuary 3, 2012
2011
- City of San Jose's Plastic Bag Ban Takes Effect January 1stDecember 26, 2011
- San Francisco Board of Supervisors Vote to Continue Decision on Expanded Plastic Bag OrdinanceDecember 6, 2011
- Hearing on LA County's Prop 26 Lawsuit Scheduled for December 12thDecember 3, 2011
- Hailey, Idaho Inspires New Environmental LeadersNovember 25, 2011
- San Francisco Looks To Expand Bag OrdinanceNovember 17, 2011
- Hailey, Idaho: High school environmental club gets plastic bag ordinance on Nov 8th ballotNovember 5, 2011
- Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley is a Hotbed for Plastic Bag OrdinancesNovember 1, 2011
- Surfing For Change: Solving Plastic Pollution in 4 minutesOctober 27, 2011
- Save the Plastic Bag Coalition Dismisses CEQA Case Against City of Long BeachOctober 19, 2011
- Save the Plastic Bag Coalition Sues Santa Cruz County - And It's Not About CEQA!October 18, 2011
- Prop 26 Lawsuit Against LA County: Complaint PostedOctober 12, 2011
- Plastic Bag Manufacturer to file Prop 26 lawsuit against LA CountyOctober 3, 2011
- Marin County Wins Plastic Bag Ordinance Lawsuit, Final Hearing Scheduled for Tuesday Sept. 27th at 9amSeptember 26, 2011
- Hilex Poly settles lawsuit against ChicoBag! Hilex Poly agrees to properly cite recycling statistics and prevent windblown plastic bag litterSeptember 15, 2011
- Marin County's Opposition & Amicus Curiae Brief PostedSeptember 7, 2011
- Save the Plastic Bag Coalition sued the City of Long Beach, documents postedJuly 26, 2011
- Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. Marin County hearing scheduled for September 13th, documents postedJuly 26, 2011
- Plastic Bag Wars: ChicoBag's SLAPP lawsuit covered in this week's Rolling Stone MagazineJuly 25, 2011
- Manhattan Beach won in the California Supreme Court!July 14, 2011
- Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. Manhattan Beach Supreme Court opinion will be issued tomorrow (July 14th)July 13, 2011
- Plastic bag ban in effect for unincorporated Los Angeles CountyJuly 10, 2011
- Two new studies show that plastics in oceans are ingested by fish, whalesJuly 9, 2011
- Plastic Bag Manufacturers SLAPP ChicoBag for "Talking Trash" (official court documents posted)June 13, 2011
- Long Beach (CA) Bans Plastic BagsMay 18, 2011
- Initial impressions from the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. City of Manhattan Beach Supreme Court oral argumentMay 5, 2011
- Santa Clara County votes to ban plastic carryout bags (and charge 15 cents for paper bags)April 26, 2011
- Montgomery County Ordinance Advances to General Council VoteApril 25, 2011
- City of Long Beach issues addendum to LA County's EIR, ordinance scheduled to come before Long Beach City CouncilApril 17, 2011
- Don't mess with Texas - vote no on bills that would preempt all local plastic bag ordinances!April 17, 2011
- Plastic bag manufacters file another lawsuit, this time against ChicoBag for saying unflattering things about plastic bagsApril 13, 2011
- Turning plastic into oil at home - Does anyone else think that this sounds like a horrible idea?April 12, 2011
- California Supreme Court oral argument scheduled in Manhattan Beach caseApril 8, 2011
- Update: Massachusetts Plastic Bag OrdinancesApril 7, 2011
- Albertsons grocery stores in Carpinteria and San Diego ban plastic and paper carryout bags!April 3, 2011
- California's SB 915 amended to remove local preemption language, but still badMarch 30, 2011
- Supervisor Charles McGlashan dies of heart attack at 49, Marin County loses a great environmental leaderMarch 29, 2011
- Update: The efficacy of Washington, D.C.’s bag feeMarch 23, 2011
- Don't Let the Plastic Bag Industry Fool California Again (NO on SB 915)!March 15, 2011
- Plastic bag manufacturers sue Marin County over plastic bag ban (Petition for Writ of Mandate available)February 25, 2011
- UC Davis Design Museum: Bags Across the GlobeFebruary 21, 2011
- Aspen (CO) considers its plastic bag reduction optionsFebruary 14, 2011
- Berkeley postpones plastic bag ordinance pending Mahattan Beach decision and/or Alameda County EIRFebruary 14, 2011
- Washington stateFebruary 14, 2011
- Update: Maui & Kauai's plastic bag ordinances in effectFebruary 10, 2011
- Marin County and Santa Monica Ban Plastic Bags, Other California Regions Consider Similar MeasuresFebruary 3, 2011
- Muntinlupa City's Plastic Bag Ban (Philippines)January 27, 2011
- Italy Bans Plastic Bags, Could Face Legal OppositionJanuary 26, 2011
- Maryland's Proposed Statewide Bag TaxJanuary 23, 2011
- Los Angeles Lawyer magazine features great article re: SPBC v. Manhattan BeachJanuary 21, 2011
- Using CEQA’s Categorical Exemptions for Plastic Bag OrdinancesJanuary 11, 2011
- Impacts of Prop 26 on Single-Use Bag Bans in CaliforniaJanuary 7, 2011
- Marin County Postpones Vote on Single-Use Bag Ordinance Until January 25thJanuary 4, 2011
- Marin County Second Reading Hearing on Single-Use Bag Ordinance on January 4th at 10:30amJanuary 1, 2011
2010
- Marin County's brave move could save California municipalities millions of dollars (on plastic bag bans)!December 27, 2010
- Brownsville Texas' plastic bag ban and $1 fee on non-reusable bags goes into effect in January! (text now available)December 23, 2010
- California Supreme Court briefs posted for Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. City of Manhattan BeachDecember 21, 2010
- Day Without A Bag Summit materials availableDecember 20, 2010
- Environmental and Behavioral Economics: Applications to China (by Haoran He) full dissertation availableDecember 12, 2010
- Long Beach City Council moves swifly to adopt plastic bag ordinance passed by Los Angeles county last monthDecember 11, 2010
- Please join us at the San Jose City Council's plastic bag ban hearing this Tuesday at 2pmDecember 10, 2010
- Attend the "Day Without a Bag" Summit this Wednesday in Los Angeles (in person or via webinar)December 9, 2010
- Plastic Bag Charge Reduces Consumption by 50% in ChinaDecember 6, 2010
- Governor Schwarzenegger wants California to "terminate" dirty pollution (including plastic bags)November 29, 2010
- Press conference in Sacramento this Monday: Green Cities California Statewide Coalition to Support State and Local Plastic Bag BansNovember 28, 2010
- Revisions to SF's proposed Carryout Bag Charge OrdinanceNovember 26, 2010
- Green Cities California plastic bag ban toolkit (for California cities)November 19, 2010
- Los Angeles County passes extensive plastic bag ban; American Chemistry Council threatens lawsuitNovember 18, 2010
- Important meeting: attend Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' meeting to certify the EIR on November 16th at 9:30amNovember 14, 2010
- Proposed plastic bag ordinances: Jersey City (NJ) and WalesNovember 14, 2010
- The big question: What does "Reusable Bag" mean?November 14, 2010
- Save the Bay (San Francisco): Bay Trash Hot SpotsNovember 1, 2010
- Vote No on Prop 26 (CA): Stop the "Polluter Protection Initiative"November 1, 2010
- Perspective: Plastic Bag Waste in Developing CountriesOctober 30, 2010
- City of Santa Cruz's Proposed Single-Use Bag Ordinance Available, Public Hearing Scheduled for November 15thOctober 26, 2010
- Maui (HI) Passes Administrative Rules Regarding Plastic Bag BanOctober 20, 2010
- Telluride (CO) Passes Plastic Bag Ban & 10-cent Fee on Paper Bags; Voter Referendum ThreatenedOctober 20, 2010
- Washington D.C.'s Bag Fee: The tax that works too well?October 10, 2010
- Santa Clara County's Bag Ban: Initial Study availableOctober 8, 2010
- Honolulu City Council Rejects Plastic Bag FeeOctober 5, 2010
- Wall Street Journal: Capital Takes Bag Tax in StrideSeptember 20, 2010
- CA Supreme Court: Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. City of Manhattan Beach briefs postedSeptember 19, 2010
- California's Proposed Plastic Bag Ban (AB 1998) Failed in the SenateSeptember 1, 2010
- AB 1998 Amended - the Senate Must Vote on the Bill by August 31stAugust 29, 2010
- AB 1998 Passes the Senate Appropriation Committee, Heads for the Senate Rules CommitteeAugust 12, 2010
- San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi Introduces Expanded Plastic Bag Ban & 5-Cent Paper Bag FeeAugust 3, 2010
- Rally in Support of AB 1998 at Ghirardelli Square (San Francisco) on August 12th at 11amJuly 31, 2010
- The City of Portland (OR) Releases Draft Plastic Bag BanJuly 20, 2010
- LA Times Editorial - Banning Plastic Bags: Good for CaliforniaJuly 18, 2010
- San Jose's Draft Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance EIR AvailableJuly 15, 2010
- Plastic Bag Recycling Resolution Introduced in U.S. CongressJuly 10, 2010
- Legislation Tracking Report Issued by Plastic Bag Industry GroupJuly 9, 2010
- The American Chemistry Council's Three-Pronged Attack on AB 1998July 8, 2010
- LA Times Editorial - Plastic Bag Manufacturer Attacks AB 1998July 1, 2010
- AB 1998 Passes the Senate Environmental Quality Committee By a 5-2 VoteJune 29, 2010
- Plastic Industry-Funded Study Finds That Reusable Bags Shoud Be Washed MoreJune 25, 2010
- Recent Filings in the Plastic Bag Ban Case at the Supreme Court of California (SPBC v. City of Manhattan Beach)June 22, 2010
- City of Santa Monica's Draft EIR available (CA)June 11, 2010
- Master Environmental Assessment may lead to more local bans in CAMay 29, 2010
- California State Assemby to vote on plastic bag ban (AB 1998) next FridayMay 28, 2010
- Los Angeles County wins CEQA suit filed by a plastic bag industry groupMay 3, 2010
- Supreme Court of California to hear appeal of Manhattan Beach's plastic bag banApril 22, 2010
- Washington DC's plastic bag tax reduces single-use plastic bag use by 50% and raises money to clean the Anacostia RiverApril 13, 2010
- SF's Plastic Bag Ban to Be StrengthenedApril 6, 2010
- Marin (CA) officials discuss countywide plastic bag banMarch 22, 2010
- David Letterman discusses the Great Pacific Garbage Patch!March 16, 2010
- CA A.B. 1998 introduced by Assembly Member BrownleyFebruary 16, 2010
- Flordia's Dept. of Envt'l Protection releases Retail Bags Report & MapJanuary 31, 2010
- Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. City of Manhattan Beach (CA) appellate decisionJanuary 27, 2010
2009
Reflecting on PlasticBagLaws.orgNovember 18, 2025
Recycling 101: Jennie Romer's First BookMay 28, 2021
Judge Upholds New York State’s Ban on All Plastic BagsAugust 26, 2020
August 2020 Bag Law Map Update and Preemption in South DakotaAugust 17, 2020
Addendum to Surfrider's Plastic Bag Law Activist ToolkitJuly 18, 2020
The Latest Plastic Bag Laws and MapsJanuary 3, 2020
New York State Bans Plastic Bags: It’s Not a Model to EmulateJune 17, 2019
Why Bag Laws Work: A Summary of Plastic Bag Law EffectivenessMarch 24, 2019
Governor Cuomo: We Urge You to Amend Your Plastic Bag Ban ProposalFebruary 12, 2019
Surfrider Foundation Announces Plastic Bag Law Activist ToolkitJanuary 23, 2019
Map of New York State Bag LawsJanuary 4, 2019
Plastic Bag Laws Summer RecapOctober 3, 2018
Jennie Romer to Speak at Pratt University (Free events)September 26, 2018
Supreme Court of Texas Strikes Down Laredo's Bag Ban - - Why We Should All Be AlarmedJuly 13, 2018
Day of Action to Demand Changes to Cuomo’s Proposed Bag BillJune 4, 2018
NRC/PennRMC Webinar on Plastic Bag Law Implementation & Enforcement StrategiesFebruary 25, 2018
Environmentalists Urge Governor Cuomo to Keep His Promise to Address Plastic Bag PollutionDecember 11, 2017
How to Get Active in Local PoliticsAugust 1, 2017
Panel Discussion on Bag Campaigns at Yale Law School This WednesdayApril 17, 2017
Statement on Gov Cuomo's Signing of Moratorium Bill from Jennie Romer, Esq.February 14, 2017
Why Carryout Bag Fees Are More Effective Than Plastic Bag Bans [from Huffington Post Blog]February 5, 2017
State Preemption Bill Threatens NYC's #BYOBag LawJanuary 18, 2017