City of Pacifica
Home MenuReusable Bag Ordinance
Implementation
On April 22, 2013, Pacifica Reusable Bag Ordinance launched, requiring that City retailers no longer provide customers with plastic carry out bags. Pacifica joins other cities and counties that encourage the use of reusable bags, promoting healthier environments for citizens through decreased use of single-use plastic bags.
Summary
Retail shoppers will have the option of bringing their own reusable bags. Retailers will charge a minimum of $.10 for a requested recycled paper bag or reusable bag. Exemptions apply for restaurants and nonprofit charitable organizations, as well as businesses that use produce and meat bags, garment cleaning bags and pharmaceutical bags.
San Mateo County has provided research on some of the results of the bag implementation. The full 2014 San Mateo County Bag Report includes some impressive results, such as an 84% decrease in bag orders from retailers and a 66% decrease in people buying a bag that they would have received for free in the past.
More Information: www.smchealth.org/bagban
- Complete ordinance language
- Environmental Impact Report
- Updated list of cities that have adopted the ordinance
- List of recycled-content paper bag vendors
- Outreach materials to educate consumers