FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]
California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
A Victory for Fairness in Food Retailing and Inner City Consumers
SACRAMENTO, CA – (November 16, 2010) – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors passed a far-reaching single-use bag ban Tuesday that will have repercussions throughout California.
By a 3-1 vote, Supervisors approved language that will ban single-use plastic bags, create a 10- cent fee on 40 percent post-consumer recycled paper bags and include all food-related retailers in unincorporated Los Angeles County. Supermarkets will have until July 1, 2011 to implement the law and convenience stores will have until January 1, 2012.
The motion faced voracious opposition from plastics companies. With the enactment of Proposition 26, it is probable that legal challenges will seek clarification on whether the ballot measure applies to the ordinance.
As expected, environmental organizations such as Heal the Bay and AB 1998 author Assembly Member Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica) spoke in support of the ordinance while plastic bag manufacturers and trade groups urged supervisors to oppose the motion.
CGA reiterated its position that a statewide solution is preferable but applauded the County for adhering closely to the provisions of the state legislation.
The California Grocers Association is a non-profit trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 500 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies. Retail membership includes chain and independent supermarkets, convenience stores and mass merchandisers.