HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 1920 (Plastic Bags)CLERK'S CERTIFICATE
I, ESTHER C. BEIRNE, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, and Ex -Officio Clerk of the
Council of said City, do hereby certify that the foregoing:
ORDINANCE NO. 1920
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN RAFAEL ESTABLISHING SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL
CODE CHAPTER 10.94 REGULATING THE USE OF SINGLE
USE CARRYOUT BAGS
is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance of said City, and was introduced at a REGULAR
meeting of the City Council of the City of San Rafael, held on the 18`' day of February, 2014, a
SUMMARY of Ordinance No. 1920 was published as required by City Charter in the MARIN
INDEPENDENT JOURNAL, a newspaper published in the City of San Rafael, and passed and
adopted as an Ordinance of said City at a REGULAR meeting of the City Council of said City,
held on the 3'-d day of March, 2014, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, McCullough & Vice -Mayor Connolly
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Phillips
WITNESS my hand and the official
Seal of the City of San Rafael this
4`h day of March 2014
ESTHER C. BEIRNE
City Clerk
ORDINANCE NO. 1920
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL
ESTABLISHING SAN RAFAEL MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10.94 REGULATING
THE USE OF SINGLE USE CARRYOUT BAGS
WHEREAS, according the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 32 million tons of plastic
waste was generated in 2011, representing 12.7 percent of the total municipal solid waste stream, and
only 8 percent of the total plastic waste generated in 2011 was recovered for recycling; and
WHEREAS, according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, less than 5
percent of all single use plastic bags are recycled in California; and
WHEREAS, plastic bags are not biodegradable, are lightweight, and blow about easily, often
becoming litter in the environment causing harm to wildlife and clogging storm drains; and
WHEREAS, according to the 2013 Marin County Grand Jury report entitled "Holding the
Bag", Redwood Landfill, Inc. has to hire full time personnel whose main task is to capture plastic bags
from blowing off the site and polluting the surrounding area; and
WHEREAS, according to the California Waste Management Board, California taxpayers spend
nearly $25 million annually to collect plastic bags and send them to the landfill; and
WHEREAS, according to the California Coastal Commission, up to 80 percent of all marine
debris is plastic, which can never biodegrade, and plastic bags were the fourth most prevalent type of
litter (over 1 million bags) picked up by volunteers during the Ocean Conservancy's 2012 International
Coastal Cleanup Day; and
WHEREAS, Bay Area plastic bag reduction ordinances have resulted in significant reductions of
plastic bag litter in the environment, including 59% to 90% reductions of litter in storm drains,
neighborhoods, creeks, rivers, and beaches recorded in San Jose and Santa Cruz; and
WHEREAS, according to the California Coastal Commission, Plastic marine debris affects at
least 267 species worldwide, including 86 percent of all sea turtle species„ which often mistake plastic
bags for jellyfish; and
WHEREAS, according to Californians Against Waste, at least 69 jurisdictions in California
have adopted ordinances banning the use of single -use plastic bags covering at least 90 municipalities,
with local and national businesses successfully replacing plastic bags with affordable, durable, recyclable
products and most importantly, reusable bags; and
WHEREAS, on April 6, 2009 the City Council of the City of San Rafael adopted the San Rafael
Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP), which incorporates programs to achieve reductions in community
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including, but not limited to: a) Program LFl 1, which calls for
adoption of a Zero Waste Goal and a Zero Waste Strategic Plan to reduce land filling of waste; and b)
Program LF 17 which directs the City to investigate options for banning non -recyclable single -use items
such as plastic bags; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 13212 on July 18, 2011, amending the
San Rafael General Plan 2020 to add a new Sustainability Element, which includes a Policy SU -9 for
adoption of a Zero Waste goal and implementation of programs to reduce material consumption and
waste generation, with a subsection SU -9h which specifically calls for banning single -use items such as
plastic bags; and
WHEREAS, the City Council on August 1, 2011 adopted a zero -waste resolution, No. 13217,
committing itself to taking actions to achieve a waste diversion goal of 80 percent by 2012 and 94 percent
by 2025; and
WHEREAS, it is the desire of City of San Rafael to conserve resources, reduce the amount of
GHG emissions, waste, litter and marine pollution and to protect the public health and welfare as well as
to protect wildlife, all of which activities increase the quality of life for San Rafael residents and visitors;
WHEREAS, the City Council has previously adopted a Resolution Certifying a Final
Environmental Impact Report and Adopting an Environmental Impact Report Addendum regarding a
single use carryout bag reduction ordinance, and a Resolution Making Findings of Fact supporting such
an ordinance; and
WHEREAS, it is the intention of the City Council to review this ordinance in one year in order
to apply it to all retailers, including restaurants, and increase the charge for recyclable paper bags to
twenty-five cents per bag, as studied in Alternative 7 of the Final Environmental Impact Report;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
DIVISION 1.
The City Council of the City of San Rafael finds as follows:
The proposed ordinance to regulate single use carryout bags is consistent with the policies and
programs of the San Rafael General Plan 2020, including Conservation Element Policy CON -17
(Resource -Efficient Organizations and Businesses), Policy CON -21 (Waste
Reduction/Recycling), Program CON -21a (Recycling), Program CON-2le (Recycling), and
Sustainability Element Policy SU -9 (Zero Waste) and Program SU -9i (Commercial and Multi -
Family Recycling) in that the ban of use of these products will result in greater use of reusable,
recyclable and biodegradable materials, which would also result in a reduction in the waste
stream.
2. The public health, safety and general welfare will not be adversely impacted by the proposed
ordinance to regulate single use carryout bags. Rather, the public health, safety and general
welfare will be enhanced and further protected as the ban for use of this material would reduce
land -filling of waste products, reduce long-lasting litter and reduce public clean-up costs.
DIVISION 2. Chapter 10.94 is hereby added to the Municipal Code of the City of San Rafael to
read as follows:
CHAPTER 10.94. SINGLE USE CARRY OUT BAGS
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Sections: 10.94.010
Purpose.
10.94.020
Definitions.
10.94.030
Plastic carry out bags prohibited.
10.94.040
Permitted bags.
10.94.050
Regulation of recyclable paper carryout bags.
10.94.060
Use of reusable bags.
10.94.070
Exempt customers.
10.94.080
Self -reporting obligation.
10.94.090
Operative date.
10.94.100
Enforcement and penalties.
10.94.010 Purpose.
The purpose of the ordinance is to reduce the amount of plastic bag pollution in the environment,
to reduce the impacts of paper bags which cause other forms of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,
and to encourage reusable bags by consumers and retailers.
10.94.020 Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this Chapter:
A. "Checkout bag" means a carryout bag intended to convey or protect goods, products or
packaged food products provided by a store to a customer at the point of sale.
B. "Customer" means any person purchasing goods from a store or from a vendor at a public
event.
C. "Operator" means the person in control of, or having the responsibility for, the operation
of a store, which may include, but is not limited to, the owner of the store.
D. "Plastic carryout bag" means any bag made predominantly of plastic derived from either
petroleum or a biologically -based source, such as corn or other plant sources, which is
provided to a customer at the point of sale. "Plastic carryout bag" includes compostable
and biodegradable bags but does not include reusable bags or product bags.
E. "Postconsumer recycled material" means a material that would otherwise be destined for
solid waste disposal, having completed its intended end use and product life cycle.
"Postconsumer recycled material" does not include materials and by-products generated
from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing and fabrication process.
F. "Product bag" means any bag without handles used exclusively to carry produce, meats,
or other food items such as bulk foods to the point of sale inside a store or at a public
event, or to prevent such food items from coming into direct contact with other purchased
items.
G. "Public event" means an event which is open to and may be attended by the general
public, including but not limited to such events as farmers' markets, parades, craft fairs,
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festivals, concerts, performances or other exhibitions, regardless of any fee or age
requirement.
f 1. "Recyclable" means material that can be sorted, cleansed, and reconstituted using
available recycling collection programs for the purpose of using the altered form in the
manufacture of a new product. "Recycling" does not include burning, incinerating,
converting, or otherwise thermally destroying solid waste.
I, "Recyclable paper carryout bag" means a paper bag that meets all of the following
requirements: (1) contains no old growth fiber, (2) is one hundred percent (100%)
recyclable overall and contains a minimum of forty percent (40%) post -consumer
recycled material; (3) is capable of composting, consistent with the timeline and
specifications of the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard
D6400; (4) is accepted for recycling in curbside programs in the City of San Rafael; (5)
has printed on the bag the name of the manufacturer, the location (country) where the bag
was manufactured, and the percentage of postconsumer recycled material used; and (6)
displays the word "Recyclable" in a highly visible manner on the outside of the bag.
J. "Reusable bag" means a bag with handles that is specifically designed and manufactured
for multiple reuse and meets all of the following requirements: (1) has a minimum
lifetime of 125 uses, which for purposes of this subsection, means the capability of
carrying a minimum of 22 pounds 125 times over a distance of at least 175 feet; (2) has a
minimum volume of 15 liters; (3) is machine washable or is made from a material that
can be cleaned or disinfected; (4) does not contain lead, cadmium, or any other heavy
metal in toxic amounts; (5) has printed on the bag, or on a tag that is permanently affixed
to the bag, the name of the manufacturer, the location (country) where the bag was
manufactured, a statement that the bag does not contain lead, cadmium, or any other
heavy metal in toxic amounts, and the percentage of postconsumer recycled material
used, if any; and (6) if made of plastic, is a minimum of at least 2.25 mils thick.
IC, "Single Use Carryout Bag" means a bag made of plastic, paper, or other material, that is
provided by a store to a customer at the point of sale that is not a reusable bag and does
not meet the requirements of a reusable bag. A "single use carryout bag" does not
include a "product bag" or a bag provided by a pharmacy pursuant to Chapter 9
(commencing with Section 4000) of Division 2 of the California Business and
Professions Code to a customer purchasing a prescription medication.
L. "Store" means a retail establishment located within the incorporated area of the City of
San Rafael that meets any one or more of the following definitions:
1. A full -line, self-service retail store with gross annual sales of two million dollars
($2,000,000), or more, that sells a line of dry grocery, canned goods, or nonfood
items and some perishable items;
2. A store of at least 10,000 square feet of retail space that generates sales or use tax
pursuant to the Bradley -Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law, Part 1.5
(commencing with Section 7200) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code,
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and that has a pharmacy licensed pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section
4000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code; or
3. A drug store, pharmacy, supermarket, grocery store, convenience food store,
foodmart, or other entity engaged in the retail sale of a limited line of goods that
includes milk, bread, soda, and snack foods, including those stores with a Type 20
or 21 license issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
10.94.030 Plastic carryout bags prohibited.
A. No operator of a store shall provide to any customer a plastic carryout bag.
B. This prohibition applies to bags provided for the purpose of carrying away goods from
the point of sale and does not apply to product bags.
C. No vendors at a public event shall provide to any customer a plastic carryout bag, except
product bags.
10.94.040 Permitted bags.
All operators of stores and vendors at a public event shall provide or make available to a
customer only recyclable paper carryout bags or reusable bags for the purpose of carrying away
goods or other materials from the point of sale, subject to the terms of this Chapter. Nothing in
this Chapter prohibits customers from using bags of any type that they bring to the store
themselves or from carrying away goods that are not placed in a bag, in lieu of using bags
provided by the store.
10.94.050 Regulation of recyclable paper carryout bags.
A. Any operator of a store or vendor at a public event that provides a recyclable paper
carryout bag to a customer shall charge the customer at least ten cents ($0.10) for each
bag provided, except as otherwise provided in this Chapter.
B. The City Council may increase the ten cent ($0.10) minimum charge by Resolution.
C. No operator of a store or vendor at a public event shall rebate or otherwise reimburse a
customer any portion of the minimum charge required in Subsection A, except as
otherwise provided in this Chapter.
D. All operators of stores and vendors at public events shall post signage clearly indicating
the per bag charge for recyclable paper carryout bags.
E. All operators of stores shall indicate on the customer receipt the number of recyclable
paper carryout bags provided and the total amount charged for the bags.
F. All monies collected by an operator of a store or a vendor at a public event for recyclable
paper bags under this Chapter shall be retained by the operator of the store or the vendor.
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10.94.060 Use of reusable bags.
A. All operators of stores shall make reusable bags available for purchase by a customer,
and any operator of a store or vendor at a public event that provides a reusable bag to a
customer shall charge at least ten cents ($0.10) for each bag provided, except as
otherwise provided in this Chapter.
B. The City Council may increase the ten cent ($0.10) minimum charge by Resolution.
C. An operator of a store may provide reusable bags to customers at no cost until three (3)
months after the effective date of the ordinance. On and after three (3) months after
effective date of the ordinance, an operator of a store may provide reusable bags to
customers at no cost only when combined with a time-limited store promotional program.
Such events shall not exceed a total of 30 days within any consecutive 12 -month period.
D. Each operator of a store or vendor at a public event is strongly encouraged to educate its
staff to promote reusable bags and to post signs encouraging customers to use reusable
bags.
E. No operator of a store or vendor at a public event shall rebate or otherwise reimburse a
customer any portion of the minimum charge required in Subsection A, except as
otherwise provided in this Chapter.
F. All operators of stores shall post signage clearly indicating the per bag charge for
reusable bags.
G. All operators of stores shall indicate on the customer receipt the number of reusable bags
provided and the total amount charged for the bags.
H. Each operator of a store or vendor at a public event is strongly encouraged to charge for a
reusable bag at least what it cost to procure the reusable bags in order to encourage
maximum reusability and not cause them to be treated as throw -away.
All monies collected by an operator of a store or vendor at a public event for reusable
bags under this Chapter shall be retained by the operator of the store or vendor at the
public event.
10.94.070 Exempt customers.
All operators of stores or vendors at public events shall provide at the point of sale, free of
charge, either reusable bags or recyclable paper carryout bags or both, at the store's option, to any
customer participating either in the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women,
Infants, and Children pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 123275) of Chapter I of
Part 2 of Division 106 of the Health and Safety Code or in the Supplemental Food Program
pursuant to Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 15500) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare
and Institutions Code.
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10.94.080. Self -reporting obligation.
All operators of stores and vendors at public events shall submit to the City Manager a
certification of compliance in a form as prescribed by the City Manager's Office by mail or
electronic means within thirty (30) days after the operative date of this Chapter, or within 30 days
after commencing business in the City, whichever is sooner. This form shall include the name
and title of the person reporting, the store or vendor name, and pertinent telephone, email and
address contact information.
10.94.090 Operative date.
This Chapter shall become operative on and after September 15, 2014.
10.94.100 Enforcement and penalties.
A. The City Manager and such code enforcement officials as he or she may designate shall
be responsible for enforcement of this Chapter. The City Manager is authorized to
promulgate regulations and to take any and all other actions reasonable and necessary to
enforce this Chapter, including, but not limited to, investigating violations, entering the
premises of any store during business hours, and imposing penalties for violations.
B. For a first violation of this Chapter, the City Manager or his or her designee shall issue a
written warning notice to the operator of a store or to the vendor at public event that a
violation has occurred and the potential penalties that will apply for future violations.
C. It is unlawful for any operator of a store or vendor at a public event to violate or fail to
comply with any of the requirements of this Chapter after a written warning notice has
been issued for that violation..
D. A violation of the provisions of this Chapter is subject to enforcement by the provisions
of Title 1 (General Provisions), Chapters 1.40, 1.42, 1.44 and 1.46 of this Code, and may
be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or infraction as set forth in Section 1.42.010 of this
Code.
E. Each day that a violation of this Chapter continues shall be deemed a separate violation.
DIVISION 3.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is for any reason held to
be invalid by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, that decision will not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of the Ordinance. The City Council hereby declares that it
would have passed this Ordinance and each and every section, subsection, sentence, clause, or
phrase not declared invalid or unconstitutional without regard to whether any portion of this
Ordinance would be subsequently declared invalid.
DIVISION 4.
Nothing in this Ordinance is intended to create any requirement, power or duty that is in conflict
with any federal or state law.
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DIVISION 5.
This Ordinance shall be published once, in full or summary form, before its final passage, in a
newspaper of general circulation, published and circulated in the City of San Rafael and shall be
in full force and effect thirty (30) days after its final passage. If published in summary form, the
summary shall also be published within fifteen (15) days after the adoption, together with the
names of those Councilmembers voting for or against same, in a newspaper of general circulation
published and circulated in the City of San Rafael, County of Marin, State of California.
Within fifteen (15) days after adoption, the City Clerk shall also post in the office of the City
Clerk, a certified copy of the full text of this Ordinance along with the names of those
Councilmembers voting for and against the Ordinance.
GARY O. P ILLIPS, Mayor
ATTEST:
4- i 'e. [az--o
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
The foregoing Ordinance No. 1920 was read and introduced at a Regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of San Rafael, held on the 18`x' day of February, 2014, and ordered passed to
print by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Connolly, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
and will come up for adoption as an Ordinance of the City of San Rafael at a Regular meeting of
the City Council to be held on the 3rd day of March, 2014.
ESTHER C. BEIRNE, City Clerk
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