Ban On Plastic Bags Takes Effect Tuesday

As of January 1, 2013, single-use plastic bags will no longer be available at most stores that sell packaged food in Castro Valley, San Lorenzo San Leandro and other communities throughout Alameda County.

Stores will also be required to charge a minimum of 10¢ for each paper or reusable bag.

Stores will still be permitted to provide free plastic produce bags to protect and transport produce, bulk food or meat.

Restaurants and food establishments are exempt from the ordinance. 

The Reusable Bag Ordinance was adopted by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority in January 2012.

Alameda County joins 51 other cities and counties in California – including San Francisco, San Mateo, San Jose and Los Angeles – working to decrease the number of single-use bags.

Local participation in the ordinance will increase the number of jurisdictions with bag ordinances statewide by nearly 30 percent. 

Are you ready to carry your own cloth or paper bags to shop?