The plastic bag ban is upon Tri-Valley and the rest of the County.
On Jan. 1, Alameda County will join San Francisco, San Mateo County, San Jose and 49 other California cities and counties in no longer providing single-use plastic bags at checkout — making reusable bags a must-have for any Bay Area resident, according to the latest release by the County.
All stores selling packaged food must charge a minimum of 10 cents for each paper bag.
The County's release goes on to share tips on how to incorporate reusable bags into your holidays this year:
- Save money and avoid the bag charge by bringing reusable bags while doing your holiday shopping. Get a head start on your New Year’s resolution!
- Give friends and family reusable bags as gifts or stocking stuffers. Stylish, eco-friendly bags can be found at Etsy.com or for as little as $5 on Amazon.
- Get in the DIY holiday spirit and craft your own reusable bag using only an old T-shirt and scissors (no sew). You can even personalize it with a favorite design or message for a loved one. See here for instructions.
For more information on Alameda County’s new ordinance, visit www.ReusableBagsAC.org.
Do you keep your reuseable bags in your car? How do you remember to bring them with you shopping? Tell us in the comments section below.
Are you for real? Are you so clueless to the overwhelming crisis the world is faciong because of "the plastic bag"? Although I agree that the US Government can be intrusive, this is an act of mercy for the planet. As far as you comment regarding a more "complicated" life... get a grip!
Get a grip. What a cry-baby!
What a bunch of babies...this has been standard practice in many US communities and countries in Europe for years. Sounds like the "men" are afraid of carrying a reusable bag around....oooh, might look like one of those "sissies" trying to help the environment...Dude! Get yourself a testosterone dipped bag with a picture of a Harley on it, and quietly help to save the planet. As far as the ten cents...you must pay to play. There is no rule, or law which prevents shoppers from using the newly purchased paper bags...Screwed by the government, yes. Screwed by the merchant, never.
leftist lemmings are so gullible, it's hilarious to watch your hand wringing.
Now I know what's outside MY front door - everything I've ever stepped in! So as the checker reached for the first of my items, I asked if she could please wipe down the end of the counter before placing my food where those contaminated bags had been moments before. BTW, has anyone purchased wine yet? I'm wondering how the stores are keeping the bottles from banging together. They used to wrap them in plastic or paper bags. Now?
For Nick stores are actually not permitted to force customers to check bags or receipts when leaving the store unless its a membership warehouse such as Costco. Other stores receipt checking at exit is voluntary. Stores cannot detain unless there is absolute certaintly that theft had occured. These had been quite a dilemma for store owners after the bag ban afraid of being held liable for falsely detaining yet have difficulty with theft with people using outside bags or pushing unbagged items out. The best stores can do in this case is to prohibit bags from entering the store and/or require they be checked at the front as a condition of entry. Though the good thing the Alameda ordinance applies only to food stores i.e supermarkets and not stores with small yet high value items such as Best Buy or Frys. Unlike the heavy handed all retailers approach taken by San Jose, SF, and many other cities.