Proposed Plastic Bag Restrictions TOWN OF DANVILLE INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS | JULY 2014
Today’s Agenda Welcome & Overview SB 270 & Possible Ordinance Outreach & Education Questions Participant Feedback Wrap‐Up
What are “single‐use” plastic carryout bags? They are: plastic carryout bags with handles.
They are NOT: produce bags, bags used to cover soup, garment bags
History of the Plastic Bag Issue State law requires that grocery stores provide location to recycle single‐use plastic carryout bags (5‐10% success rate) Statewide ban on plastic bags attempted and failed before Issue has been on cities’ and counties’ radar screens for the last few years Senate Bill 270 may be passed this fall. Cities seeking to adopt their own ordinance must take action by September 1, 2014 and adopt an ordinance by January 1, 2015
Environmental Impact 5‐10% of single‐use plastic bags are recycled Plastic bags slowly break up and contaminate soil and waterways as they degrade, affecting fish, wildlife and other natural ecosystems Plastic bags are a key source of litter in our waterways/storm drains
More cities are taking action Cities are taking action to reduce environmental impact and meet more stringent state and regional policies 112 cities/counties in California are covered by local ordinances Seven cities in Contra Costa have passed local ordinances (most recently Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek and Martinez); all of Alameda County
Impact of Local Ordinances December 2013 study by the City of San Jose one year after their ordinance took effect: ∙ 89% fewer plastic bags in storm drains ∙ 60% fewer plastic bags in creeks ∙ 59% fewer plastic bags on city streets
Town of Danville’s Options 1. Do Nothing 2. Allow SB 270 to take effect 3. Implement a Local Ordinance 4. Hybrid Approach For consistency, all retailers and restaurants would be affected Local ordinance affecting most retailers and all restaurants would be similar to Walnut Creek and altered based on public input
SB 270 & Possible Local Ordinance
How it would work… SB 270 would affect a category of retailers
Town ordinance would affect retailers and restaurants not covered by SB 270
SB 270
Plastic Bag Ban Affecting All Retailers and Restaurants Local Ordinance
What businesses would be affected? SB 270
approx. 26 stores
Possible Local Ord.
approx. 119 stores 73 restaurants
Grocery stores, mini‐marts, liquor stores (eff. 7/2016)
All retailers not affected by SB 270 (eff. 7/2016)
Stores with at least 10,000 sq. ft. of retail space with a pharmacy (eff. 7/2015)
All public eating establishments (eff. 7/2016)
Stores with gross sales of $2 million or greater that sell perishables (eff. 7/2015)
Recycled paper bags in lieu of plastic SB 270
Possible Local Ord.
Requires retailers to charge a minimum of 10 cents per recycled paper bag
A minimum charge per recycled paper bag is determined locally: 10 cents or TBD
Charge would be collected and kept by the retailer
Charge for paper bag would not need to be listed on receipt
Defines Recycled Paper Bag based on composition and labeling
A charge per recycled paper bag, if any, would exempt restaurants Could define Recycled Paper Bag based on composition and labeling
Enforcement Possible Local Ord.
SB 270
State of California with permission granted to the Town of Danville Penalties: $500 ‐ 1st violation $1,000 – 2nd violation $2,000 – 3rd and subsequent violations
Town of Danville Penalties (Typical): Warning Notice ‐ 1st violation $100 – 2nd violation $200 – 3rd violation $500 – 4th and subsequent violations
Recap of Options 1. Do Nothing 2. Allow SB 270 to take effect 3. Implement a Local Ordinance 4. Hybrid Approach For consistency, all retailers and restaurants would be affected Local ordinance affecting most retailers and all restaurants would be similar to Walnut Creek and altered based on public input
Process and Timeline • July: Informational Sessions • July – September: Public Input and Outreach, Draft Ordinance
Public Feedback & Draft Ordinance
Potential Council Action • August 12: Council may adopt Resolution of Intent (Non‐Binding) • Before January 1, 2015: Council may adopt an ordinance
• July 1, 2015: SB 270 takes effect for limited retailers • July 1, 2016: SB 270 and Town Ordinance would take effect for remaining retailers and restaurants
Implementation
Questions & Feedback
PLEASE COMPLETE THE FEEDBACK CARD VISIT OUR WEB PAGE:
www.danville.ca.gov/plasticbags OR SEND US FEEDBACK VIA E‐MAIL:
plasticbags@danville.ca.gov