Supervisors accept amendments to checkout-bag ordinance and continue item to Dec. 6 for more study

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors accepted a package of amendments to an ordinance that would extend restrictions on single-use checkout bags to all retail and food establishments and require implementation of a checkout bag charge. The sponsor moved to amend language on bag composition, labeling, CEQA findings, and economic review and then moved to continue the ordinance for further consideration; colleagues adopted both the amendments and the continuance without objection.

Sponsor remarks and amendments: Supervisor McCremy (sponsor) read a set of amendments that, among other changes, (1) added CEQA categorical-exemption language referencing CEQA Guidelines classifications, (2) required checkout bags to be 100% recyclable using San Francisco curbside recycling standards, contain no old-growth fiber, and be labeled with manufacturer and country of origin, (3) allowed the Department of the Environment to modify recycled-content requirements by regulation when warranted, and (4) directed the Controller to assess economic impacts of the 10-cent checkout bag charge and to provide a report between January 2012 and January 2014 that attempts to forecast impact when the charge increases to 25 cents.

Discussion and concerns: Supervisors asked for additional data during the intervening weeks, particularly about how other cities set bag-charge levels and how the charge would affect low-income residents. Supervisor Weiner said existing studies and his Safeway inquiry suggested paper handled bags cost retailers between 5 and 10 cents at volume and requested an updated review of other cities' charges. Supervisor Kim raised concerns about limiting the number of days stores could give away reusable bags for free, saying it might disadvantage immigrant and low-income customers; the sponsor said staff would review the timing and outreach strategy.

Outcome: The board accepted the sponsor's amendments (motion to amend by Supervisor McCremy, seconded by Supervisor Campos) and approved a motion to continue the item to the Dec. 6 board meeting for additional review and outreach. No roll-call vote was recorded on the continuance; the chair announced the item would be continued to Dec. 6 at 4:00 p.m.

Next steps: The Controller will prepare an economic assessment of the bag charge's impacts and submit a report to the Board between January 2012 and January 2014. The Department of the Environment will work with the sponsor and other supervisors on outreach to businesses and communities, including immigrant and low-income neighborhoods.

Clarifying details: The Controller's review was instructed to survey whether and how the checkout bag charge has impacted businesses' profits and losses and to attempt to forecast impacts if the charge increases to 25 cents.

The board did not adopt the ordinance on final passage; the item was continued to allow additional analysis and community outreach.