Maya Ellison
In 2007, San Francisco became the first city in the US to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags, with the goal of reducing waste, litter, and environmental impact. The law has since been amended to improve its effectiveness and expand its scope to include all retail establishments and food establishments. As of 2024, California has enacted a single-use carryout bag ban, which will come into effect on January 1, 2026, banning all plastic bags from grocery store checkouts. This has led to an increase in the use of reusable bags and a reduction in plastic bag litter in San Francisco.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of the first ban | 2007 |
| Type of bags banned | Single-use plastic bags |
| Type of bags allowed | Reusable bags, cloth or machine washable material, durable plastic |
| Minimum thickness of allowed plastic bags | 2.25 mils |
| Fee per bag | 10 cents |
| Year of the new ban | 2026 |
| Fee per bag in the new ban | 25 cents |
| Type of bags allowed in the new ban | Recycled paper bags |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bags are banned in San Francisco
The original law focused on banning the thinnest type of plastic shopping bag, often known as a T-shirt bag or Thank You bag. These bags were typically made from very thin plastic film, less than 1 mil thick, and prone to breakage even during the first use. After the passage of this law, their use in supermarkets and large pharmacies was prohibited.
Since 2007, the law has been amended several times to improve its effectiveness and further reduce waste, litter, and other bag impacts. In 2012, San Francisco expanded the bag ordinance in three significant ways: instituting a ten-cent fee on carry-out bags, extending the ban to all retail establishments in the city, and including food establishments like fast food. The definition of a reusable bag was also changed to specify that it must be made for at least 125 uses, carrying 22 pounds over a distance of 175 feet.
The most recent update to the law was in 2024, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law that closed a loophole in California's 2014 plastic bag ban. This new law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2026, bans all plastic bags from grocery store checkouts. Customers who bring their own bags will not be affected, but those who need new bags will have to purchase recycled paper bags for at least ten cents each.
While the new law specifically targets plastic bags at grocery store checkouts, San Francisco's broader bag ban and fee ordinance continue to apply to other types of bags and retail establishments. The city's efforts to reduce plastic bag waste have shown positive results, with an 18% reduction in plastic bag street litter observed from 2007 to 2009.
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Reusable bags must be made specifically for reuse
In 2007, San Francisco became the first city in the US to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags. The San Francisco Bag Ban prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags and includes specific requirements for reusable bags. The law was amended in 2012 to expand the ban to all retail establishments in the city, including food establishments like fast food and restaurants. This law also instituted a fee for carry-out bags and specified that reusable bags must be made "specifically for reuse".
The definition of a reusable bag, according to the amended San Francisco Bag Ban, has two classes of materials. The first class includes "cloth or machine-washable material", encompassing fabrics such as cotton, jute, and man-made fabrics like NWPP. These fabrics are suitable for machine washing. The second class of materials permitted for reusable bags is "durable plastic that is at least 2.25 mils thick". This definition allows plastic film bags to be used in retail, provided they are more durably made.
The bag ban also sets standards for reusable bags, such as the requirement for at least 125 uses while carrying 22 pounds over a distance of 175 feet. Additionally, the bags must be certified to meet legal requirements, with certification provided by a single third-party entity. This certification must be resubmitted every two years for reusable grocery bags made from plastic film. Other requirements for these plastic film bags include a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled material, recyclability in the state, and a thickness of at least 2.25 mils.
The San Francisco Bag Ban is part of the city's commitment to environmental stewardship and reducing waste. It aims to decrease the negative impacts associated with plastic bags, such as the felling of trees, the use of oil, and the deaths of marine animals. The ban has proven effective, with an observed decrease in the use of single-use bags and an increase in the use of reusable bags or no bags at all.
To summarise, the San Francisco Bag Ban includes specific provisions for reusable bags, mandating that they be made "specifically for reuse". This involves meeting material requirements, durability standards, and certification processes to ensure the bags are fit for their intended purpose of reducing waste and lessening the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags.
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Compostable plastic bags are allowed if the local government permits it
In San Francisco, the use of plastic bags is regulated by the San Francisco Environment Department (SFE). The SFE has implemented a Checkout Bag Charge Ordinance, which aims to reduce the negative impact of plastic bags on the environment and improve water quality in the Bay and ocean. This ordinance includes a ban on single-use conventional plastic checkout and pre-checkout bags.
However, compostable plastic bags may be permitted under certain conditions. Firstly, the local government must vote to allow the sale of compostable bags to consumers. This permission is granted by the local government in alignment with the specifications outlined by the American Society of Testing and Materials International Standard Specification for Compostable Plastics D6400.
Additionally, compostable plastic bags must meet specific requirements to be considered acceptable. These bags should be labelled with the name of the manufacturer, the country where they were manufactured, and the percentage of post-consumer recycled content. The information should be displayed in an easy-to-read size and font on the outside of the bag.
It is important to note that stores are required to charge a minimum of 10 cents per compostable bag, as outlined by the Single-Use Carryout Bag Ban (SB 270) in California. This charge is intended to cover the costs of providing the bags and encourage the use of reusable alternatives.
In San Francisco, the distribution of conventional, non-compostable plastic pre-checkout bags was prohibited starting July 1, 2020. This regulation is part of the city's efforts to reduce waste and encourage the use of environmentally friendly alternatives. By allowing compostable plastic bags under specific conditions, San Francisco is taking a step towards achieving its sustainability goals while providing flexibility for consumers and businesses.
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Stores must charge a minimum of 10 cents for bags
San Francisco was the first city in the US to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags in 2007. The law was amended in 2012 to expand the ordinance to all retail stores and add a checkout bag charge of 10 cents. This was done to further reduce waste, litter, and other bag impacts. The definition of a reusable bag was also changed to specify that it must be made for at least 125 uses, carrying 22 pounds over a distance of 175 feet.
In 2016, the city adopted an ordinance phasing out single-use plastic bags in grocery, drug, and convenience stores, as well as farmers' markets. A minimum charge of 10 cents per paper bag was implemented. This was later increased to 25 cents, with the money kept by the stores to cover costs.
The new law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2026, bans all plastic bags from grocery store checkouts. Recycled paper bags will be available for purchase for at least 10 cents each. This law does not apply to produce bags or other plastic bags intended to contain loose items or prevent contamination.
It is important to note that stores cannot require customers to purchase a bag. This is in line with California's single-use carryout bag ban, which allows stores to sell reusable plastic bags made with recycled content or recycled paper bags until January 1, 2026.
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Plastic bags are banned in all retail stores
The San Francisco bag ban prohibits single-use plastic carryout bags, specifically targeting the thinnest type of shopping bag made from very thin plastic film. These bags were often less than 1 mil thick and prone to breakage, even during their first use. The ban allows for reusable bags, which must be made with durable plastic that is at least 2.25 mils thick, cloth, or machine-washable material.
The city's efforts to reduce plastic bag waste have shown positive results, with an 18% reduction in plastic bag street litter from 2007 to 2009. Additionally, the number of shoppers using single-use bags decreased significantly, while those using reusable bags or no bags increased.
California has also implemented a statewide single-use carryout bag ban, which will come into effect on January 1, 2026. This new law will ban all plastic bags from grocery store checkouts, with customers able to purchase recycled paper bags for at least 10 cents each.
The combination of local and statewide efforts in California and San Francisco has contributed to a significant reduction in plastic bag usage and waste, helping to improve the environment and reduce pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
No, San Francisco was the first city in the US to adopt a ban on plastic shopping bags in 2007. The law has been amended since then to improve its effectiveness.
The San Francisco bag ban law allows only reusable bags made with cloth or machine-washable material, or durable plastic that is at least 2.25 mils thick.
The San Francisco bag ban is in line with the city's desire to reach zero waste and improve environmental stewardship. The ban has resulted in an 18% reduction in plastic bag street litter from 2007 to 2009.
Yes, several other cities and counties in California have implemented similar bag bans, including San Diego, South San Francisco, San Mateo County, Santa Barbara, and San Jose.
