
INFORMATION FOR SHOPPERS
SACRAMENTO IS SAYING GOODBYE TO SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS.
Starting January 1, 2016, single use plastic bags will no longer be available in the City of Sacramento at:
- Grocery stores
- Large Pharmacies
- Convenience Stores
- Markets
- Stores that have a grocery or pharmacy as one of their departments (Target, Walmart, etc.)
Shoppers can
- Bring your own Sac – customers can bring any bag of their own to use to carry purchases and are not required to buy a bag if they don’t want or need one
- Buy a paper or reusable bag at check-out - stores subject to the ban must make recyclable paper or reusable bags available for purchase for a minimum of $.10 per bag
Stores NOT required to stop using single-use plastic bags:
- Retail stores that do not sell food and does not have a pharmacy
- Restaurants
- Farmer’s market
A full description of stores subject to the plastic bag ban is part of City Code Ordinance 5.154.
EXEMPTIONS
BAG EXEMPTIONS
Bags are exempt from the ban and from the $.10 fee if they are reusable bags or bags without handles provided to:
- Carry produce or meat within a store
- Carry prescription medication dispensed from a pharmacy
- Segregate food or merchandise that could damage or contaminate other food or merchandise
CUSTOMER EXEMPTIONS
Participants in WIC (Women, Infant & Children's) or CalFresh using a voucher or EBT card may not be charged for bags. Stores can choose which reusable or paper bags to offer these customers free of charge.
