2023 California Code › Public Resources Code - PRC › DIVISION 30 - WASTE MANAGEMENT › PART 3 - STATE PROGRAMS › CHAPTER 5.3 - Single-Use Carryout Bags › ARTICLE 1 - Definitions › Section 42280.

42280. (a) “Department” means the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery.
(b) “Postconsumer recycled material” means a material that would otherwise be destined for solid waste disposal, having completed its intended end use and product life cycle. Postconsumer recycled material does not include materials and byproducts generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing and fabrication process.
(c) “Recycled paper bag” means a paper carryout bag provided by a store to a customer at the point of sale that meets all of the following requirements:
(1) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), contains a minimum of 40 percent postconsumer recycled materials.
(B) An eight pound or smaller recycled paper bag shall contain a minimum of 20 percent postconsumer recycled material.
(2) Is accepted for recycling in curbside programs in a majority of households that have access to curbside recycling programs in the state.
(3) Has printed on the bag the name of the manufacturer, the country where the bag was manufactured, and the minimum percentage of postconsumer content.
(d) “Reusable grocery bag” means a bag that is provided by a store to a customer at the point of sale that meets the requirements of Section 42281.
(e) (1) “Reusable grocery bag producer” means a person or entity that does any of the following:
(A) Manufactures reusable grocery bags for sale or distribution to a store.
(B) Imports reusable grocery bags into this state, for sale or distribution to a store.
(C) Sells or distributes reusable bags to a store.
(2) “Reusable grocery bag producer” does not include a store, with regard to a reusable grocery bag for which there is a manufacturer or importer, as specified in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1).
(f) (1) “Single-use carryout bag” means a bag made of plastic, paper, or other material that is provided by a store to a customer at the point of sale and that is not a recycled paper bag or a reusable grocery bag that meets the requirements of Section 42281.
(2) A single-use carryout bag does not include either of the following:
(A) A bag provided by a pharmacy pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code to a customer purchasing a prescription medication.
(B) A nonhandled bag used to protect a purchased item from damaging or contaminating other purchased items when placed in a recycled paper bag, a reusable grocery bag, or a compostable plastic bag.
(C) A bag provided to contain an unwrapped food item.
(D) A nonhandled bag that is designed to be placed over articles of clothing on a hanger.
(g) “Store” means a retail establishment that meets any of the following requirements:
(1) A full-line, self-service retail store with gross annual sales of two million dollars ($2,000,000) or more that sells a line of dry groceries, canned goods, or nonfood items, and some perishable items.
(2) Has at least 10,000 square feet of retail space that generates sales or use tax pursuant to the Bradley-Burns Uniform Local Sales and Use Tax Law (Part 1.5 (commencing with Section 7200) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code) and has a pharmacy licensed pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 4000) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code.
(3) Is a convenience food store, foodmart, or other entity that is engaged in the retail sale of a limited line of goods, generally including milk, bread, soda, and snack foods, and that holds a Type 20 or Type 21 license issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
(4) Is a convenience food store, foodmart, or other entity that is engaged in the retail sale of goods intended to be consumed off the premises, and that holds a Type 20 or Type 21 license issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
(5) Is not otherwise subject to paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (4), if the retail establishment voluntarily agrees to comply with the requirements imposed upon a store pursuant to this chapter, irrevocably notifies the department of its intent to comply with the requirements imposed upon a store pursuant to this chapter, and complies with the requirements established pursuant to Section 42284.
(Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 850, Sec. 1. (SB 270) Effective date postponed (until November 9, 2016) by referendum petition. Approved in referendum Proposition 67 at the November 8, 2016, election.)