Sixty-five Percent of Watsonville Residents Using Reusable Bags

65% of Watsonville’s shoppers  now bring reusable bags to the store!

City residents are doing their part to protect our environment for now and future generations. A recent survey conducted by Save Our Shores at local stores, such as Mi Pueblo, Target and Grocery Outlet demonstrate the success of Watsonville’s single use bag ban in reducing plastic waste. Compared to just 1% of customers in 2011, 65% of customers now reuse bags.

In an effort to make our community cleaner and healthier, the City joined many cities in the Monterey Bay area and the United States in reducing use of single-use plastic bags. In California, 19 billion plastic bags are used every year and only 5-10% are recycled; the rest are disposed of as trash and many find their way into creeks, rivers, wetlands, oceans, and highways as unsightly litter. These bags represent an unnecessary waste of natural resources that can easily be avoided  through the use of reusable bags. Please remember your bags!

On April 24, 2012 Watsonville City Council passed an Ordinance restricting the use of plastic and paper bags within the City. September 7, 2013 will mark the one year anniversary of the City’s Bag Ban Ordinance, where the charge for paper bags will increase from 10 cents to 25 cents. Paper bags must contain at least 40% post consumer recycled paper and stores may no longer provide plastic bags to customers at checkout. The 25 cents per paper bag charge will encourage customers to bring their reusable bags. The funds collected for providing paper bags are retained by the businesses to offset their cost for paper bags.

The Ordinance does not apply to plastic bags used for produce, meat, ice cream and other wet items. Paper bags are  allowed to weigh candy, protect greeting cards and bottles and for pharmacy use. Food and beverages purchased at restaurants for consumption on the premises, for take-out or by delivery may be placed in PLASTIC OR PAPER bags and no charge is required for these bags.

Thank you Watsonville for remembering to bring your reusable bags! With your help we can reach our goal of using reusable bags for a cleaner and more beautiful City!

If you have questions, please contact Customer Service at 768-3133.