TEMPO.CO, California - California state has issued a new law to ban the use of plastic bags for environmental reasons to be enforced by July 1, 2015. Under the new law, grocery stores and pharmacies will no longer be permitted to provide disposable plastic bags or customers will be charged with 10 cents for using them. By 2016, the regulation will be enforced to convenience stores and liquor stores.
The exceptions are only applied for meats, fruits and vegetables. Local authorities and governments will impose fines up to US$5,000 on businesses that violate the rule.
California has become the first U.S. state to ban the use of plastic wraps or plastic bags. However, the bans have been partially imposed in more than 100 cities in California, with San Fransisco being the first city to issue the ban in 2007. Other cities followed San Fransico's move to enforce similar measure and move forward with a total ban.
California Governor Jerry Brown, as cited by Russia Today yesterday, said California had made the right step by issuing the bill and "won’t be the last".
RUSSIA TODAY | INTAN MAHARANI
