The City Left Berkeley Holding the Bag, but We're Not Far Behind

from the San Francisco Chronicle

"Berkeley is considering becoming the second U.S. city after San Francisco to outlaw plastic grocery bags.

'It's important that San Francisco not be alone on this,' said Mayor Tom Bates, who referred San Francisco's ordinance to Berkeley's Zero Waste Commission for review. 'The whole region should be behind this, so San Francisco isn't hurt by shoppers going elsewhere.'

The City Council could vote on the ordinance in about a month.

'I'd love to be able to do it," said Steen Jensen, chair of the Zero Waste Commission. "For reaching zero waste, plastic bags are one of the big issues.'

As in San Francisco, grocers in Berkeley would have the option of offering compostable bags made of plant starch or paper should the ordinance pass. The California Grocers Association has said such bans will lead to higher prices."