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Environment

Bill To Ban Plastic Bags Introduced In State Legislative Committees

Bill To Ban Plastic Bags Introduced In State Legislative Committees
The legislation would regulate paper carryout bags at supermarkets, retail pharmacies and convenience stores throughout the state.

There are several environmental bills scheduled for hearings in California state legislative committees this week. But the chances for passage appear slim.

Steve Aceti with the California Coastal Coalition said he's talked to key democratic legislators who say this session may be a quote "no-go year for environmental bills."

One bill being heard Tuesday in committee would ban single-use plastic carryout bags.

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The legislation would also regulate paper carryout bags at supermarkets, retail pharmacies and convenience stores throughout the state.

Aceti said there are now more democratic legislators who will not support bills perceived to cost jobs or hurt the economy.

"The plastic bag ban and the polystyrene ban, we were told, may not see the light of day by the end of the session," said Aceti.

Dan Jacobson with Environmental California is more optimistic. “I actually think the bag bill has a good chance to pass since there is some momentum for this issue,” Jacobson said.

Aceti with CalCoast said Californians use an estimated 19 billion single-use plastic bags every year and fewer than 5-percent are recycled.

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Aceti said most plastic bags wind up in landfills, beaches and the ocean.