Ban on Plastic Bags in San Francisco Signed Into Law

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) -- San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed an ordinance this afternoon that makes the city the first in the nation to outlaw the use of plastic grocery bags.

The ordinance requires large supermarkets in San Francisco to stop using plastic bags within six months. Chain pharmacies will have until next year to impose the change.

Mayor Newsom said getting the ordinance signed is perfect timing for this weekend’s Earth Day. “This marks the first big city in the United States to adopt a strategy to address the serious concerns of plastic bags and moving them away from our landfills and out or our waste stream,” he said.

San Francisco Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi drafted the ordinance that is getting the attention of other cities. “Whether it’s in New York or in Texas or Los Angeles or Iowa, in other cities across the country, that they’re now moving through their legislatures to endeavor this kind of legislation,” he said.

Critics say the ordinance will lead to more trees being cut down and result in higher costs being sent on to consumers.