California nixes plastic bag ban

Sep 1, 2010, 23:17 GMT

Los Angeles - California legislators have voted down a proposal to ban plastic shopping bags in the state following an aggressive lobbying campaign by manufacturers of the ubiquitous carry-outs.

The bill would have made California the first state in the US to ban the plastic bags in supermarkets and other stores and would have taken effect starting in 2012.

The measure had already passed the state assembly, but was shot down in the state senate late Tuesday night when several Democrats joined Republican opponents in arguing that the bill would place an additional burden on consumers already struggling to deal with the recession.

'If we pass this piece of legislation, we will be sending a message to the people of California that we care more about banning plastic bags than helping them put food on their table,' said Senator Mimi Walters, a Republican.

Supporters of the measure said it was badly needed to help stem the flow of 19 billion plastic bags used by state residents every year. They pledged to continue efforts to get the ban passed.

'It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when consumers bring their own bags and become good stewards of the environment,' said the defeated bill's author, Julia Bownley.