Plastic On the Way Out

By Izabella Santana  

A new law requiring shoppers to purchase plastic bags is intended to encourage consumer use of reusable totes, experts said.

“It’ll raise awareness about reducing our footprint on the environment,” said Kyla Benson, Santa Ana College Consumer Studies professor.

Gov. Brown signed SB 270 in September, banning single-use plastic bags from California food markets. Starting next year, grocery stores and pharmacies will no longer offer them free to carry merchandise.

In 2016, the law will be adapted to apply to convenience stores and food marts.

Making consumers pay for plastic bags can help shoppers develop an understanding of the importance of reusable bags and how much money can be saved.

“Shoppers will have to pay a small fee for bags or buy reusable bags,” Benson said.