Chico City Council has reopened its pledge to ban plastic bags.

Chico City Council in California is considering its options after a vote in September signalled progress in the pledge to restrict plastic bag usage.

From January 1st, Senate Bill 1219 will come into effect, repealing a law prohibiting local jurisdictions from regulating bags or collecting fees from paper bags, gift bags and cotton bags.

Chico Enterprise Record reports that the matter has now been put forward to the council again, following their endeavours to restrict single-use plastic bags as part of an environmental review.

Despite state legislation, Mayor Mary Goloff told the newspaper that the city was still very much in favour of pushing a restriction due to the environmental impact of such bags.

“What I think I want or we want people in the community to understand is this is intended to limit the use of single-use plastic bags provided by big retailers,” she explained.

Mayor Goloff then highlighted the fact that there would still be a number of exemptions, with many accommodating for the needs of smaller businesses.

She described how many countries do not rely on plastic bags in the same way as the US does, adding “we survived for many years without them and we found ways to live our lives”.

In September, residents first addressed the council and relayed their views, Many of these were supportive of a single-use plastic bag ban, while opponents suggested that recycling education and encouragement would be a more effective focus than regulation.

Current exceptions to the proposed ban include paper bags and plastic bags without handles, such as those used for meat, produce, flowers, bulk foods, newspapers and waste.

A small charge could also be made for recycled-content paper bags, with revenue benefitting the store selling them.

The council is continuing to ask for feedback from residents and businesses on such a ban and what it would involve.

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