Under California Public Resources Code 42281, Santa Ana grocery and retail stores cannot give away thin single-use plastic bags and must charge at least 10 cents for any reusable or paper bag.
California voters confirmed Senate Bill 270 through Proposition 67 in 2016, banning single-use plastic carryout bags at most grocery stores, pharmacies, and large retailers including those in Santa Ana. Stores may sell reusable plastic, paper, or compostable bags meeting state thickness and recycled-content standards for at least 10 cents per bag. Bags must carry recycled-content claims and a manufacturer ID. The CalRecycle reusable grocery bag program registers compliant manufacturers. The bag charge is retained by the store. Customers using CalFresh or WIC are exempt from the per-bag charge.
Distributing thin single-use plastic carryout bags, charging less than 10 cents per reusable bag, or failing to register reusable bag suppliers with CalRecycle.
See how other cities in Orange County handle plastic bag rules.
See how Santa Ana's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
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