San Diego is moving ahead with plans to ban plastic bags, although a referendum to appeal a statewide ban is headed to the November 2016 ballot.
Mayor Kevin Faulconer confirmed Thursday that he has directed city staff to resume with the environmental review of San Diego’s proposed plastic bag ban.
“San Diegans treasure our natural resources, which is why I’ve made protecting our environment a top priority by releasing a forward-thinking Climate Action Plan and advancing the innovative Pure Water program,” said Faulconer in a statement.
He said the local ban would be for consideration by the public and San Diego City Council.
The Surfrider Foundation says San Diego would join 138 other California communities, including Encinitas and Solana Beach, if it approves the plastic bag ban. The group met with Faulconer on Wednesday to request San Diego’s measure be put back on track.
Last year, California lawmakers passed a law prohibiting stores from handing out single-use plastic bags for free, which would have gone into effect in July. However, a trade group turned in enough signatures Tuesday to suspect the implementation and put it on the ballot.
The American Progressive Bag Alliance told the Associated Press the ban would amount to a cash giveaway to grocers that would cost thousands of manufacturing jobs.
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Ban supporters say the move is a way to cut down litter and protect marine life.
