Ethan Clarke
Berkeley has strict rules in place to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags by businesses and vendors. The city's plastic bag ban will be extended in 2023, prohibiting stores from providing plastic pre-checkout bags, such as those found in the produce section of grocery stores. Instead, stores will be required to offer compostable paper bags for a charge of 10 cents per bag. Restaurants will still be able to provide plastic bags for leftovers, but customers will be charged for them. Businesses are encouraged to allow customers to bring their own reusable bags and containers, and to offer reusable pre-checkout bags for sale. These measures aim to reduce litter and waste in the community, foster a reduction in disposable foodware, and curb plastic consumption. Enforcement of these rules is currently complaint-based, with the city providing resources and assistance to help businesses comply with the regulations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic bags for meat or seafood | May be provided for free only upon request |
| Plastic carryout bags | May be provided after sit-down meal service for 10 cents per bag, only if a customer requests one |
| Recycled-content paper bags | May be provided for free; must contain no old-growth fiber and a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled material |
| Reusable pre-checkout bags | Must be washable by hand or machine, or made from a material that can otherwise be cleaned or disinfected |
| Single-use plastic carryout bags | Prohibited |
| Single-use foodware | Prohibited; businesses must use BPI-certified compostable foodware and provide disposable accessory items only upon request |
| On-site dining | Businesses must use reusable foodware and provide color-coded bins for composting, recycling, and trash |
| Enforcement | Currently complaint-based only |
| Waivers | Available under certain circumstances, e.g., unavailability of on-site or off-site dishwashing capacity |
| Revenue from bag charges | Kept by businesses |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags for meat or seafood can be provided for free, but only upon request
- Restaurants can provide plastic bags for leftovers, but they must charge 10 cents per bag
- Stores must charge at least 10 cents for compostable plastic bags
- Stores must provide reusable grocery bags or recycled paper bags free of charge to customers using certain payment methods
- Businesses must post clear signage that plastic bags are sent to landfill and encourage the use of reusable bags
Plastic bags for meat or seafood can be provided for free, but only upon request
The City of Berkeley has strict rules regarding the types of bags that businesses and vendors can provide and how they are provided. The guidelines are designed to reduce litter and waste in the community and encourage customers to use reusable, compostable, or recycled-content bags.
Stores should make reasonable efforts to make reusable pre-checkout bags available for sale. These bags must meet specific requirements, such as being washable by hand or machine or made from a material that can be cleaned or disinfected. Recycled-content paper bags may be provided for free, but they must meet certain standards, including containing no old-growth fibre and a minimum of 40% post-consumer recycled material.
In addition to the rules for plastic bags, Berkeley's legislation also addresses single-use foodware. Businesses offering takeout must use BPI-certified compostable foodware and provide disposable accessory items only upon request. Disposable foodware is allowed for "to-go" orders, but all items must be BPI-Certified Compostable. Restaurants have slightly different requirements and can provide plastic carryout bags for a 10-cent charge per bag if a customer requests one after a sit-down meal service.
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Restaurants can provide plastic bags for leftovers, but they must charge 10 cents per bag
The City of Berkeley has strict rules for businesses and vendors regarding the types of bags they can provide and how they are provided. The guidelines are designed to reduce litter and waste in the community and encourage customers to use reusable, compostable, or recycled-content bags.
Restaurants in Berkeley can provide plastic bags for leftovers, but they must charge 10 cents per bag. This rule applies after sit-down meal service, and only if a customer requests a plastic bag. Restaurants must also follow rules for single-use foodware, such as using BPI-certified compostable foodware for takeout orders and providing disposable accessory items (e.g. straws, napkins, utensils) only upon request.
In addition to the rules for restaurants, Berkeley has specific requirements for other types of businesses. Stores must switch to offering "truly" compostable pre-checkout bags, like those made of paper, and charge 10 cents per bag. They must also accept customers' own reusable bags and containers. Large grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience food stores, or any entity selling food products with a total floor area over 2,500 square feet must follow carryout bag requirements, such as using recycled-content paper bags or providing reusable carryout bags for sale.
The City of Berkeley offers support to businesses to transition to reusable foodware and reduce their use of single-use plastic bags. This includes technical assistance, grants, and a complaint-based enforcement system to help businesses comply with the regulations. The ultimate goal is to reduce the consumption of plastic and foster a more sustainable community.
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Stores must charge at least 10 cents for compostable plastic bags
The City of Berkeley has introduced rules for businesses and vendors to follow regarding the types of bags they can provide and how these bags are provided. The guidelines are designed to reduce litter and waste in the community and encourage customers to use reusable, compostable, or recycled-content bags.
One of the key rules is that stores must charge at least 10 cents for compostable plastic bags. This rule applies to both recycled-content paper bags and plastic carryout bags. The revenue from these bag charges belongs to the stores themselves. However, customers who receive certain benefits, such as the California Special Supplemental Food Program, are exempt from the bag charge.
The requirement to charge for compostable bags is part of a broader effort to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. In addition to charging for compostable bags, businesses must make reasonable efforts to make reusable pre-checkout bags available for sale. They should also allow customers to bring their own reusable bags and containers, unless they are inappropriate or unsanitary.
The City of Berkeley's approach to reducing plastic bag usage includes a focus on education and encouragement rather than strict enforcement. Enforcement of the rules is currently complaint-based, and the city provides resources and support to help businesses comply with the regulations. The ultimate goal is to foster a cultural shift where bringing one's own containers becomes a habit, reducing the demand for plastic bags.
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Stores must provide reusable grocery bags or recycled paper bags free of charge to customers using certain payment methods
The City of Berkeley has strict rules in place to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags. The guidelines apply to all businesses and vendors that provide or sell goods directly to customers. The rules are designed to encourage customers to use reusable, compostable, or recycled bags.
From January 2023, Berkeley stores will have to switch to offering paper bags and charge 10 cents per bag. However, recycled-content paper bags may be provided for free. Stores must also allow customers to bring their own reusable bags and containers, unless they are inappropriate or unsanitary.
For restaurants, there are slightly different requirements. Plastic bags for meat or seafood may be provided for free, but only upon request. Restaurants must also follow rules for single-use foodware, such as using BPI-certified compostable foodware and providing disposable items like straws and utensils only upon request. Restaurants can provide plastic carryout bags after sit-down meals for a 10-cent charge per bag, but only if a customer requests one.
Stores are required to provide reusable grocery bags or recycled paper bags free of charge to customers using certain payment methods, such as California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) or CalFresh benefits. These customers are exempt from any bag charges.
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Businesses must post clear signage that plastic bags are sent to landfill and encourage the use of reusable bags
In Berkeley, businesses must follow guidelines to reduce their use of single-use plastic bags. The city has rules for the types of bags that can be provided and how they are provided, with the aim of encouraging customers to use reusable, compostable, or recycled bags.
To this end, businesses must post clear signage that plastic bags are sent to landfill and are not compostable. This signage should also encourage customers to bring their own bags by providing information about alternative options. For example, customers could bring their own reusable bags and containers, or acquire recycled-content paper or reusable pre-checkout bags. Stores should also make an effort to make reusable pre-checkout bags available for sale.
The City of Berkeley offers on-site technical assistance to support the transition to reusable foodware, and grants of up to $2,500 to help businesses transition to reusable options and build dishwashing capacity. Enforcement of these rules is currently complaint-based, and if the city receives a complaint about a non-compliant business, it will provide a written notice of non-compliance and an opportunity to comply.
The new ordinance, which comes into effect in January 2023, will close a loophole in Alameda County's 2013 plastic bag ban, which allowed stores to use thicker plastic bags. From 2023, stores will have to provide paper bags and charge customers 10 cents per bag, or accept customers' own reusable bags.
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Frequently asked questions
No, businesses in Berkeley cannot give out single-use plastic bags. This includes plastic carryout bags, regardless of thickness.
Businesses can provide recycled-content paper bags for a charge of 10 cents per bag. Alternatively, they can make reusable carryout bags available for sale.
Plastic bags for meat or seafood may be provided for free but only if the customer requests one. Restaurants can also provide plastic carryout bags for a charge of 10 cents per bag if a customer requests one after a sit-down meal.
Enforcement of the ban is currently complaint-based. If a complaint is received, the City of Berkeley will provide a written notice of noncompliance and an opportunity to comply. Fines may be imposed on businesses that continue to violate the ban.
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