California SB 270 bans most single-use plastic carryout bags at grocery and retail stores statewide; San Bernardino County retailers must charge at least ten cents for recycled paper or thicker reusable bags.
Under California Public Resources Code 42283, large grocers, pharmacies, and convenience stores cannot give out thin single-use plastic carryout bags at checkout. Stores must offer recycled-content paper bags, reusable bags, or compostable bags for a minimum ten-cent charge that the store keeps for compliance costs. The rule applies countywide in San Bernardino, including Inland Empire chains and high desert markets. WIC and CalFresh customers are exempt from the bag charge. Produce bags, meat bags, and bulk food bags remain allowed inside the store.
Retailers giving away banned plastic bags or not charging the minimum fee face civil penalties up to 5000 dollars and warning letters from the California Attorney General.
See how San Bernardino's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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