This Wednesday: Final Vote on San Luis Obispo's Single-Use Bag Ordinance
The next California jurisdiction with a single-use bag ordinance up for final vote is San Luis Obispo County this Wednesday. SLO's ordinance is proposed through the Integrated Waste Management Authority, which has jurisdiction over both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of the County (unlike the Los Angeles, Santa Clara, Marin and Santa Cruz ordinances which only apply to the unincorporated areas of those counties). The ordinance passed it's first reading by a narrow 7-5 margin back in November, so please show your support by writing a support letter or attending the hearing.
Here are the details of SLO's proposed ordinance:
- CEQA: categorical exemption
- ban on plastic checkout bags, min 10-cent charge for paper checkout bags
- applies to all supermarkets, pharmacies, large stores, and convenience stores
- applies to all of SLO County (incorporated & unincorporated areas)
The SLO ordinance has garnered considerable attention - here's an excerpt from an article in the San Luis Obispo Tribune:
The question has drawn intense public interest, and the obscure governmental body has received scores of emails pro and con.
Bill Worrell, the authority’s executive director, said the proposed ban has drawn the greatest number of comments the body has ever received.
Hearing information: Wednesday 1/11/12 at 2 p.m. at the county government building, 1055 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo.