EC Holds Final Public Meeting On Proposed Single-use Bags Ban

Following Richmond’s recently passed ordinance to ban plastic bags – the county’s first city to do so – El Cerrito is one step closer to following suit.

At 7 p.m. tonight, July 9, the second of two public meetings will be held at City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave.

The city is seeking public input on its proposed ordinance regulating free distribution of single-use bags and foam takeout containers, reports the West County Times. This would include bags sold at retail establishments, as well as ending the use of expanded polystyrene foam at food provider establishments, except "in cases where the ordinance would cause undue hardship, or when no suitable alternative food ware is available, and other specific cases," according to the Times.

Copies of the draft ordinances are available for review at the Department of Public Works office at City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Ave.; the Recycling and Environmental Resource Center, 7501 Schmidt Lane; and the El Cerrito Library, 6510 Stockton Ave. The ordinance and details are also online here.  

Written comments on the ordinance must be submitted to the city by the 4 p.m. July 15.