Manhattan Beach updates bag rules to align with state law, keeps restaurants under local restriction

The City Council on March 3 voted 5-0 to introduce Ordinance No. 26-0004 to align Manhattan Beach's carryout-bag regulations with recent state law (SB 1053).

Staff explained the ordinance prohibits distribution of single-use and reusable plastic carryout bags at points of sale for retail and grocery stores and requires any city-allowed carryout bag to be recycled-content paper meeting minimum post-consumer recycled-content thresholds: 40% through Dec. 31, 2027 and 50% thereafter. Staff noted this aligns local rules with the state requirement that affected retailers provide only recycled-content paper bags at point-of-sale.

The council considered two drafts. Version A keeps restaurants and mobile food vendors within the city's restriction (i.e., restaurants would also be prohibited from distributing plastic carryout bags); Version B would exempt restaurants and mobile vendors and allow them to use plastic or paper bags. Staff said pros of Version A include reduced plastic pollution and easier curbside recycling of paper; cons include higher cost and possible durability issues for wet or contaminated food. The council selected Version A and introduced the ordinance.

Bridal Coker Moen, environmental programs administrator, said contaminated paper bags can be used as food-waste liners and composted, while contaminated plastic bags cannot be recycled and often end up as litter. Businesses were briefed on changes at recent Chamber and downtown-business meetings, and staff plans broader outreach and enforcement guidance.

Next steps: staff will return with final ordinance language for second reading and continue outreach to affected businesses.