HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 04-21-2026 Item No. 14 Single-Use Carryout Bags_Staff PresentationCC 4-21-2026
#14
Ordinance No. 26-2280
Single-Use Carryout
Bags
Presentation
CMC Amendment:
Single-Use Carryout & Pre-Checkout Bags
Cupertino City Council Meeting
April 21, 2026
Recommended Action
1.Conduct the first reading of Ordinance 26-____
“An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of
Cupertino amending City Code Chapter 9.17
Single-Use Carryout Bags.”
2.Find that the proposed actions are exempt from
CEQA.
Code amendment needed to align with State regs
•Disallow thick plastic “reusable” carryout bags
•Require paper bags (made with recycled paper)
at checkout with a 10-cent fee
•Require “pre-checkout” (produce) bags
to be paper or compostable
Intentions of SB 1053:
•Reflect the will of the voters who wanted to ban
the distribution of plastic carryout bags, not
enable replacement with thicker ones.
•Incentivize consumers to bring reusable bags.
•Reduce the burden of pollution from plastic
waste.
Which is the greenest reusable bag?
Common types of bags:
Left to Right:
•Non-Woven Polypropylene (NWPP)
•NWPP multi-layer
•Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
•Nylon
Plastic-derived textiles Plant-derived textiles
Outcome per Life Cycle Analyses:
“Bags that are designed for multiple uses (reuse) have lower impacts than
SUPBs [single use plastic bags] in most environmental impact categories,
if they are actually used a sufficient number of times.”
Plastic-derived textiles :10-20 uses.Plant-derived textiles: 50-150 uses.
However….
LCAs do not consider microplastics
End of Useful Life per CalRecycle:
•Textiles are not recyclable
curbside.
•Bags can be donated and
have potential to be shredded
for use in padding or
insulation.
Summary:
•The best reusable bag is the one you
already have that you are willing to
use.
•Buying new? Well-made plant fiber
and recycled PET-derived bags are
generally more durable than NWPP.
•Once a reusable bag wears out, use
it one final time as a garbage bag.
Recommended Action
1.Conduct the first reading of Ordinance 26-____
“An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of
Cupertino amending City Code Chapter 9.17
Single-Use Carryout Bags.”
2.Find that the proposed actions are exempt from
CEQA.
Questions?