SAN JOSE, Calif. — The city council here has approved an ordinance that would ban single-use plastic and paper carryout bags by Jan. 1, 2011.
However, the council must still write the actual ordinance and conduct environmental reviews — a process that could take up to six months, a council spokeswoman told SN.
The 9-1 vote in favor of the ban followed a press conference at which elected representatives from surrounding cities advocated a regional approach to the bag issue and said they would urge their constituencies to pass similar ordinances.
Under the San Jose plan, single-use plastic and paper bags will be prohibited in all retail establishments other than restaurants or nonprofit and social service organizations; it also levies a fee of 10 cents or 25 cents on the use of "green" paper bags or those that contain at least 40% recycled materials.
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