Single-Use Carryout  Bag Ordinance Information:

In December 2011, the City of Sunnyvale adopted a single-use carryout bag ordinance that will prohibit the use of plastic bags and require paper bags that are distributed to be  made from at least 40% post-consumer recycled content accompanied by a minimum charge of 10 cents per bag. Compostable/ biodegradable bags are defined in this ordinance as single-use and will not be be allowed for distribution. Bags recommended for use include reusable bags. Meat and produce bags that do not have handles will still be allowed to segregate food items upon purchase. The ordinance and all its terms will take effect in two phases:

• Phase 1 starts on June 20th, 2012 (large retailers) 
• Phase 2 starts on March 20th, 2013 (all other retailers)

 Read the Customer Fact Sheet for more information.

Retailer Information:

1. Read the full ordinance language (Ordinance No. 2965-11) and the Retailer's Frequently Asked Questions.

2. Sign up to be added to the Retailer Mailing List at Bringyourbags@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us

3. Sign up for a Retailer Tookit at Bringyourbags@ci.sunnyvale.ca.us
Toolkit materials will include: posters, employee training guide, window decals, cashier tents and parking lot signs designed to educate customers and employees (the toolkit will be made available for distribution in mid-March, it is recommended to reserve a toolkit in advance).

4. Find out when the ordinance will affect your business:
Phase 1:  104 retailers will be affected on June 20th, 2012 (List of affected retailers).
Phase 2:  The ordinance will expand to additional retailers in March 20, 2013.

5. Use up the remaining supply of paper and plastic bags in your stores inventory that will no longer be allowed for distribution.

6. Be prepared: Find a paper bag manufacturer and purchase 40% post-consumer recycled content paper bags.

7. Inform your customers of the ordinance. Make copies and distribute Customer Fact Sheets. 

Where to Recycle Plastic Bags

A state plastic bag recycling law called AB 2449 went into effect in 2007 that requires most large grocery and pharmacy retailers to place clearly marked plastic recycling bins at each store.

Recycle your plastic bags at Sunnyvale's participating stores that are meeting this requirement. Contact us at  (408) 730-7484 if any of the stores listed do not have a recycling bin available for plastic bags.

Background on Single-Use Plastic Bags

Each year, grocery and other retail stores in the United States, provide over 38 billion single-use plastic carryout bags to consumers. Sunnyvale alone uses 75 million plastic bags annually. While many of the bags do get recycled, many more are disposed of as trash and end up littering our highways, creeks, rivers, and oceans.

Continued use of plastic bags wastes natural resources and we can reduce such waste by practicing one small action that makes a big difference: using reusable shopping bags. There are now many colorful, convenient, stylish bags available at retailers everywhere!

Additional plastic bag information:

Save the Bay

Video: "The Majestic Plastic Bag" narrated by Jeremy Irons

Video: "Charles Moore: Sailing the Great Pacific Garbage Patch" on TED talks

 

Other Single-Use Carryout Bag Actions:

Local Actions: As of Jan 23, 2012, 17 cities and counties in California have initiated single-use carryout bag ordinances.

City of Long Beach

City of San Jose

Santa Clara County (unincorporated area)

City of Palo Alto

Marin County

County of Los Angeles

City of Malibu

City of Santa Monica

National and Global Actions:

San Francisco, Washington D.C., Seattle, Brownsville, TX, some Canadian cities, Bangladesh, China, Mexico City, Rwanda, South Africa, South Australia, Italy, Ireland, Taiwan, Maui County, Hawaii, Portland, Oregon. Proposed bans and fees on bags include Wilton, CT, Arkansas, and Western Australia.  

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