Solana Beach, California Will Ban Plastic Bag Usage.

Solana Beach, California Will Ban Plastic Bags usage.

Solana Beach, California will soon be the first city in San Diego to essentially ban single use plastic bags. At the April 25th meeting council member unanimously approved an ordinance that aims to reduce, rather than completely eliminate, carry out plastic bags. The new law will be implemented in phases. Grocery stores, food vendors, restaurants, pharmacies and city facilities must be in full compliance three months after final adoption of the ordinance. All remaining affected retail establishments, vendors and non-profit vendors will have six months.

The ordinance will likely be adopted during a second reading at a council meeting in May and to go into effect 30 days after that, giving businesses until September or December to adjust. All retail establishments, events sponsored or permitted by the city such as Fiesta del Sol and farmers markets, city facilities and city-managed concessions will be prohibited from distributing the plastic bags.

Businesses are encouraged to offer incentives such as 5-cent rebate or credit for customers who shop with reusable bags. Store owners can provide recycled paper bags but they must charge at least 10 cents each. Money will go back to the businesses not the city.

Courtesy of : Crescent Moon Realty, Inc.