Single-use plastic bags, a major ocean pollutant, are on the ballot in California Propositions 67 and 65. In San Mateo County, the three-year old plastic bag ban has had a significant positive environmental impact, and so it is important to understand how these two propositions will affect our county and state.
Since 2013, San Mateo County’s Reusable Bag Ordinance has helped reduce plastic bag waste. The 2014 San Mateo County Bag Report shows a 162% increase in people bringing their own bags to the store. Moreover, stores bought 84% fewer bags for their customers — a reduction of 53 million bags.
Then in 2014 Californians voted to pass the nation’s first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags (SB 270). However, this statewide ban was put on hold pending a vote on Proposition 67.
Proposition 67 is about whether the ban should continue or not. A “no” vote on Proposition 67 ends the plastic bag ban and allows stores to use plastic bags for free unless local governments (like San Mateo County) charge a fee. Voting “yes” upholds the ban; stores could not offer plastic bags and would be required to charge at least 10 cents for any other type of bag they provide customers.
Alas, voting becomes slightly more confusing because there is a second proposition dealing with single-use plastic bags, Proposition 65. Proposition 65 decides where the money from purchasing bags should go. Voting “yes” on Proposition 65 redirects customer’s payment for bags—that dime or more per bag—from stores to a new state fund to support environmental programs. A “no” vote would allow revenue to go toward any purpose.
If both measures pass, the one with more votes would supersede. Thus, Proposition 65 will only go into effect if it has more votes than Proposition 67 and only if Proposition 67 also passes.
To avoid legal confusion between the two somewhat competing propositions, Proposition 67 supporters, including the Los Angeles Times, San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle recommend voting “yes” on 67 and “no” on 65.
That said, San Mateo County will not be significantly affected since our local plastic bag ban will remain in effect. However, surrounding municipalities and counties without a local ban will be influenced by the passing or failing of Proposition 67 and 65, which could affect the environment statewide.
