A bill that would require retail stores in the state of California to establish store recycling programs was passed by the California State Senate, and now goes to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signature into law.
AB 2449, sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, would require stores with at least 40,000 square feet in retail space to give consumers the opportunity to recycling plastic grocery bags into new plastic bags. The bill passed the California State Senate by a vote of 29-9 also requires stores to place a plastic grocery bag recycling bin inside stores and make reusable bags available for customers to purchase. The bill passed the California State Assembly by a vote of 62-2.
"California retailers are beginning to recognize the problems posed by plastic bags and their responsibility in helping to tackle that problem," Levine stated. "However, if Californians want to begin to really address this problem we need to create a statewide program. In the end, the sacrifices we must make are small in relation to the significant gains we can achieve through this legislation. I urge the Governor to sign this important measure."
The bill is supported by Californians Against Waste, the Planning and Conservation League, the California League of Conservation Voters, the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, the California Grocers Association, and the California Retailers Association.