Maya Ellison
California's Proposition 67, a ballot proposition that aimed to prohibit grocery and other stores from providing customers with single-use plastic or paper carryout bags, was passed in November 2016 with 53% of the vote. This proposition was supported by numerous organizations, including the California Fish & Game Commission, California League of Conservation Voters, California State Association of Counties, and the Sierra Club California. The proposition's goal was to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags, which are difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills or oceans, contributing to pollution and endangering wildlife. The ban only applies to grocery and convenience stores, while retail stores and other businesses are exempt. With the passage of Proposition 67, California joined several countries and cities worldwide that have implemented taxes or bans on single-use plastic bags to mitigate their environmental impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the initiative | California Proposition 67, Plastic Bag Ban Veto Referendum |
| Year | 2016 |
| Purpose | To uphold the statewide ban on single-use plastic bags |
| Ballot initiatives | Two – one to affirm or reject the plastic bag tax, and a second to redirect the money from the bag tax to environmentalist measures |
| Prominent organizations supporting Proposition 67 | California Fish & Game Commission, California League of Conservation Voters, California State Association of Counties, CalPIRG, League of Women Voters of California, NAACP California Conference, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, Our Revolution, Sierra Club California, Trout Unlimited, and The Trust for Public Land |
| Number of signatures required for qualification | 504,760 |
| Number of unverified signatures submitted | Over 800,000 |
| Result | Failed to pass, receiving 54.8% "No" votes |
| A "Yes" vote | Upholds Senate Bill 270, prohibiting certain retail and grocery stores from providing free, single-use, carryout bags to customers |
| A "No" vote | Rejects Senate Bill 270, allowing stores without city or county ordinances to continue distributing single-use plastic bags |
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What You'll Learn
California Proposition 67
The proposition was a referendum on Senate Bill 270, which was passed by the California State Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2014. The bill prohibited certain stores from providing customers with plastic single-use bags and charged a fee for other types of bags. The proposition aimed to unify state law throughout California, as multiple cities and counties in the state had already implemented similar laws.
Proposition 67 was supported by various organizations, including the California Fish & Game Commission, California League of Conservation Voters, California State Association of Counties, and the League of Women Voters of California. Supporters of the proposition highlighted its potential environmental benefits, including reducing litter, protecting wildlife, and reducing cleanup costs associated with plastic bag pollution.
The proposition passed with 53% of the vote, resulting in the full effect of Senate Bill 270. This meant that most grocery stores, large retail stores with pharmacies, and convenience stores selling food and beverages were prohibited from providing single-use carryout bags to customers.
Another proposition, Proposition 65, was also on the ballot regarding the use of proceeds from plastic bag sales. Proposition 65 aimed to direct revenue from carryout bag sales to environmental projects. However, it failed to pass, receiving 54.8% "No" votes.
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Ban on single-use plastic bags
California has a single-use carryout bag ban, SB 270, which prohibits certain retail and grocery stores from providing free, single-use, carryout bags to customers. This law will only go into effect in areas without their own laws regarding single-use plastic bags. Stores in California without city or county ordinances regarding single-use plastic bags will be free to continue to distribute such bags.
The bill was passed in July 2015 and was upheld in the 2016 California Proposition 67 vote, with 54.8% voting 'Yes'. The proposition was supported by several prominent organizations, including the California Fish & Game Commission, California League of Conservation Voters, California State Association of Counties, and the Sierra Club California.
The EPA cites the following rationale for the ban: single-use plastic bags are typically made out of petroleum-based plastic and do not biodegrade when disposed of or when they escape into the environment. When disposed of on land, they may be blown into creeks, lakes, or oceans, where they can entangle marine life or be mistakenly eaten by animals.
Some critics of the ban, such as APBA Executive Director Lee Califf, argue that it is "a backroom deal between the grocers and union bosses to scam California consumers out of billions of dollars without providing any public benefit – all under the guise of environmentalism." Consumers tend to dislike the bans, and they usually result in large inconveniences or high compliance costs for retailers.
Until January 1, 2026, stores may sell reusable plastic bags made with recycled content or recycled paper bags. Stores must charge at least 10 cents per compostable bag, and they are required to provide a reusable grocery bag or a recycled paper bag free of charge to customers using certain payment methods.
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Senate Bill 270
In 2014, California's attorney general issued a title and summary for Proposition 67, a referendum on banning single-use plastic bags. Proposition 67 was put to a vote in 2016 to determine whether to uphold Senate Bill 270, which prohibits certain retail and grocery stores from providing free, single-use, carryout bags to customers. The bill, which was passed by the California State Legislature in 2015, had not yet taken effect at the time of the referendum.
The initiative received support from various organizations, including the California Fish & Game Commission, the California League of Conservation Voters, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. These organizations recognized the harmful effects of single-use plastic bags on the environment, particularly on marine life, and advocated for a reduction in plastic bag consumption.
However, Proposition 67, the referendum on Senate Bill 270, failed to pass in 2016, receiving 54.8% "No" votes. This meant that stores in California without existing local laws banning single-use plastic bags could continue to distribute them freely. The outcome of the vote indicated a rejection of the proposed restrictions on single-use plastic bags by a slim majority of voters.
Despite the failure of Proposition 67 at the state level, it is important to note that many cities and counties across California, including Orange County, had already enacted their own bans on single-use plastic bags. These local initiatives demonstrated a growing awareness and commitment to addressing plastic pollution and its environmental consequences.
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Proposition 65
Compliance with Proposition 65 is mandatory for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers selling products in California. Businesses must ensure that their products do not contain chemicals on the Proposition 65 list or provide clear and reasonable warnings if their products do contain these chemicals. Non-compliance can result in legal consequences, including lawsuits and penalties.
While Proposition 65 has been praised for raising awareness about toxic chemicals and promoting safer alternatives, it has also faced some criticism. Some argue that the law can be complex and burdensome for businesses, particularly small businesses, to comply with. Additionally, there have been concerns about the potential for frivolous lawsuits or excessive warning labels that may confuse or overwhelm consumers.
It is worth noting that Proposition 65 is separate from the plastic bag ban initiatives in California, such as Proposition 67, which aimed to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic bags. While Proposition 65 focuses on protecting consumers from toxic chemicals, the bag ban initiatives address the environmental consequences of plastic waste.
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Environmental impact
California's Proposition 67, a referendum on the statewide ban of single-use plastic bags, was put to voters in 2016. The initiative sought to uphold Senate Bill 270, which prohibits certain retail and grocery stores from providing free, single-use, carryout bags to customers. The bill had already been passed in 2014, but its implementation was delayed pending the outcome of the referendum.
The environmental impact of this initiative is significant. Single-use plastic bags are typically made from petroleum-based plastic and do not biodegrade when disposed of or when they escape into the environment. When disposed of on land, they can be blown into creeks, lakes, or oceans, where they can entangle marine life or be mistakenly eaten by animals. According to CalRecycle, the amount of plastic bags disposed of by Californians increased by 47% between the passing of the bag ban and 2022. This highlights the ongoing challenge of effectively reducing plastic bag waste and its environmental impact.
The referendum was supported by various environmental organisations, including the California Fish & Game Commission, the California League of Conservation Voters, and The Nature Conservancy. These groups recognised the potential for the ban to reduce plastic bag pollution and its associated public costs. Additionally, reusable bags, which are often provided for free, are washable, tear-resistant, and guaranteed to last at least 125 uses. Most importantly, they won't end up in waterways or be ingested by marine life.
However, the initiative faced opposition and ultimately failed to pass, with 54.8% of voters choosing "No." Opponents of the ban, including the plastics industry and some consumer groups, argued that it was a "backroom deal" that would inconvenience consumers and impose high compliance costs on retailers without providing any significant public benefit. Some critics also questioned the grassroots nature of the initiative, suggesting that it was primarily driven by special interests and corporate profits rather than environmental concerns.
Despite the failure of Proposition 67, California has continued to make progress in reducing plastic bag usage. Senate District 38, which includes part of south Orange County, passed legislation in 2022 to ban the use of film plastic bags at grocery store checkouts. This legislation, introduced by Senator Catherine Blakespear, strengthens regulations on plastic bag usage and builds on California's environmental legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the plastic bag initiative passed in Orange County, California.
The plastic bag initiative passed in Orange County, California in 2016.
The name of the plastic bag initiative in Orange County, California was California Proposition 67.
The main goal of the plastic bag initiative was to reduce plastic bag pollution and its impact on the environment, specifically in creeks, lakes, and oceans, where they can entangle marine life.
Yes, reusable bags are often given out for free in Orange County, California. These bags are washable, tear-resistant, and guaranteed to last at least 125 uses. Stores are also allowed to sell compostable plastic bags that meet specific requirements.
