BAG IT

New plastic bag law goes into effect at markets

By JENNIFER HUFFMAN
Register Business Writer

The lowly plastic shopping bag. Brought home after a visit to the grocery or chain store, many get a new life as trash can liner, pet poop pick up, or wet swimsuit baggie.

But now certain grocers and retailers want their bags back. They’d like shoppers to return them to specially marked recycling bins in the store. It’s not just a suggestion.

A statewide plastic bag recycling law effective July 1 requires merchants to ask for bags. Besides plastic bag recycling, affected stores must also offer a reusable shopping bag for sale.

The law affects most retailers and grocers with stores of more than 10,000 square feet or those with annual sales of more than $2 million.

Many stores in Napa already offer recycling and reusable bags, but some will make changes to fit the bill.

At Target on Soscol Avenue, shoppers can now buy a fiber-like reusable shopping bag in two sizes. Red, and printed with tree graphic and the familiar Target bullseye logo, the bags sell for 99 cents to $1.49 each. The store got a supply three weeks ago, said Mike Gillaspie, store manager. People that have bought them “are pleased we are selling something that reusable,” he said.

Espe Greenwood with Safeway’s corporate office said Safeway reprinted plastic bags with new mandated wording which asks users to return bags to the store for recycling. Additionally, “You can buy a reusable bag at local store for 99 cents.” Collection bins at the store are available for recycling bags.

At Sunshine Foods in St. Helena, owner Jay Smith said it’s easy for his store to comply — the store won’t offer plastic bags any more. “We use recycled paper or cloth bags. We don’t use much plastic anyway,” said Smith.

“Why bother?” he asked. “Most of our customers use paper.”

Additionally, “We’re looking at a number of bags that are technically not plastic, like corn or plant-based,” he said. “They cost more, but if need be, we’ll switch to those.” Sunshine Foods currently sells several types of reusable bags, including fiber-like bag for 99 cents and a canvas bag for $6.

Chris Burns of Vallerga’s Markets said the new law has minimal impact on the Redwood Road retailer. “We’re in compliance already,” she said. The store has recycling bins, and plastic bags feature the new recycling request. Burns also said that Vallerga’s recently gave away 1,000 reusable shopping bags, which can be purchased for $1.99 each. Plus, the mandate fits with the market’s goals. “We are interested in becoming a more green operation,” said Burns.

At Raley’s and Nob Hill Foods, recycle bins were already in place, said spokeswoman Amy Johnston. The merchant is also rolling out a new line of reusable cloth-like bag for 99 cents. Like many other local grocers, Raley’s also offers a small rebate for customers who reuse their bags.

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