San Jose Plastic Bag Ban Starts On Sunday
SAN JOSE (KCBS) - The ban on single-use plastic shopping bags that takes effect in San Jose on Jan. 1 applies to all retailers, not just grocery stores.
The city will also require stores to charge 10 cents per bag to customers who opt for paper instead of bringing their own reusable bags. Stores will still be allowed to use protective plastic bags without handles for items such as meat and produce.
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
The city gave retailers 2 years to prepare for the ban, enacted over objections from industry groups who questioned whether it would truly benefit the environment.
Proponents argued plastic bags contaminate waterways and pose a threat to wildlife. The American Chemistry Council and others pointed out that manufacturing paper bags also causes greenhouse gas emissions.
Restaurants and non-profits are exempt from the ban enacted in 2009.
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