Community Development

Main: (714) 536-5241
Fax: (714) 374-1647

Walk-in Hours:
Monday–Friday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

*Email [email protected] for requests outside of walk-in hours

Reusable Bag Ordinance

The project involves the adoption of a proposed ordinance (Ordinance) by the City of Huntington Beach City Council that would prohibit distribution of plastic carry-out bags in commercial point of sale purchases within the City of Huntington Beach, and establish a ten (10) cent charge on the issuance of recyclable paper carry-out bags at all grocery stores and supermarkets, drug stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, foodmarts and Huntington Beach farmer's markets. All stores affected by the proposed ordinance would be required to provide reusable bags to customers either for sale or at no charge, and each store would be strongly encouraged to promote the use of reusable bags through staff education and customer outreach.

The Ordinance would also prohibit the distribution of compostable and biodegradable plastic carry-out bags, as they are included in the definition of a plastic carry-out bag. The Ordinance requires that the paper bags be one hundred percent (100%) recyclable overall, contain a minimum of forty percent (40%) post-consumer recycled material, and be accepted for recycling in curbside programs within the City, among other criteria. The Ordinance further requires that reusable bags be specifically designed and manufactured for a minimum lifetime of 125 uses, be machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned or disinfected, does not contain lead, cadmium, or other heavy element in toxic amounts, among other criteria. Plastic bags that are a minimum of 2.25 mils thick are considered to be reusable bags per the definition in the Ordinance.

The Ordinance would exempt from the ten (10) cent charge those customers who are participating in either the California Special Supplemental Food Program for the Women, Infants, and Children or the Supplemental Food Program. All applicable stores must provide at the point of sale, free of charge, either reusable bags or recyclable paper carry-out bags or both, to these customers, at the store's option. Customers will have the option to use their own reusable bags, or no bag at all.

Public Documents

Initial Study

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
Cover and Front Materials
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Chapter 1 -- Introduction
Chapter 2 -- Project Description
Chapter 3 -- Environmental Setting

Chapter 4 -- Environmental Impact Analysis
Section 4.1 -- Air Quality
Section 4.2 -- Biological Resources
Section 4.3 -- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Section 4.4 -- Hydrology and Water Quality

Chapter 5 -- Other CEQA Discussions
Chapter 6 -- Alternatives
Chapter 7 -- References and Report Preparers

Appendix A -- Notice of Preparation, Initial Study, and Comment Letters
Appendix B -- Air Quality URBEMIS Results
Appendix C -- Proposed Huntington Beach Draft Ordinance
Appendix D -- Stores Potentially Affected by Draft Ordinance

FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT
EIR 11-002

Written comments should be addressed to:

Hayden Beckman, Planning Aide
City of Huntington Beach Planning and Building Department
2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648

Did you know?

The amount of solar energy that strikes the Earth in one hour is more than enough to provide all of the Earth’s energy needs for a complete year. Learn more about Solar.