California becomes first state to ban plastic bags

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation imposing the nation’s first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags.

Brown on Tuesday signed the bill by Democratic state Sen. Alex Padilla of Los Angeles.

Plastic bags will be phased out of large grocery stores starting next year and convenience stores and pharmacies in 2016. The legislation is meant to encourage consumers to bring their own bags and as a way to reduce litter.

The bill preserves more than 100 local plastic bag bans, including in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Grocers support the ban because it sets a statewide standard and allows them to charge consumers a 10 cent fee for using paper bags.

Plastic and paper bag manufacturers opposed to the legislation say it will result in lost manufacturing jobs in California.

“By signing into law a disposable plastic bag ban, California can remain at the forefront of addressing the long-term environmental crisis in our ocean,” said California Secretary of Natural Resources John Laird. “With first-in-the-nation Marine Protected Areas, stringent stormwater runoff regulations, and now this sweeping effort to keep non-biodegradable plastics out of the waste stream, we are continuing to do our part to actually solve problems and not just talk about solutions.”