Statewide plastic bag ban debate heats up in Santa Cruz

The debate over California’s plastic bag ban is heating up as two propositions go before voters in November.

On Monday, Proposition 67 supporters said they gathered in Santa Cruz to inform voters as they work to uphold the 2014 state law banning single-use plastic grocery bags. The law was set to go into effect July 2015 but was put on hold after opponents gathered enough signatures to put the decision on the ballot.

The proposition would also require stores sell recycled paper or reusable bags for at least 10 cents and keep the profit.

“After nearly a decade of local grassroots efforts in our states to stop these flimsy bags from polluting our ocean and harming sea turtles birds, and other marine wildlife, Proposition 67 will end their use in California in grocery and retail stores once and for all,” said Dan Jacobson, legislative director for Environment California.

Proposition 65, backed by plastic bag manufacturers, calls to redirect any money collected on the sale of carry-out bags to environmental groups, according to nonpartisan group CALmatters.