Bag Alliance Continues Opposition of California Bag Ban Bill

The American Progressive Bag Alliance (APBA), the group representing plastic bag manufacturers and recyclers in the United States, is continuing its strong opposition to the legislative move in California to ban single-use plastic bags statewide in certain uses.

The Washington-based group has fought for the rejection of Senate Bill 270 in California, which has passed both the Senate and Assembly and now awaits a decision by Gov. Jerry Brown on whether or not to sign it into law. Brown has until Sept. 30 to make a decision.

The bill would prohibit grocery stores, drugstores and convenience stores from distributing single-use plastic shopping bags, starting July 2015 with large grocery stores. Stores could sell paper, durable reusable bags and compostable bags at a minimum charge of 10 cents each.

The APBA have long fought for the rejection of the bill and the restriction of plastic bags, which it says are 100-percent recyclable and can be used for multiple uses.

“The advancement of SB 270 is a perfect example of why California citizens are disgusted by their state legislature,” said Lee Califf, executive director of the APBA. “This bill has never been about the environment; it’s a dirty deal between California grocers and union bosses to scam consumers out of billions of dollars in bag fees. SB 270 threatens thousands of California manufacturing jobs, hurts the environment by mandating the distribution of thicker plastic bags, and directs all fees collected into the pockets of grocers and their union partners. Not a penny goes to a public purpose.

“We urge Gov. Brown to look closely at the terrible consequences of this legislation and veto it.”

The APBA was founded in 2005 to promote the responsible use, reuse, recycling and disposal of plastic bags. It advocates that American-made plastic products are the best environmental choice at checkout.