BILL NUMBER: SB 228	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator DeSaulnier

                        FEBRUARY 23, 2009

   An act to add Section 42357.5 to the Public Resources Code,
relating to plastic bags.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 228, as introduced, DeSaulnier. Plastic bags: compostable or
marine degradable plastic bags.
   The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989,
administered by the California Integrated Waste Management Board,
prohibits a person from selling a plastic bag in this state that is
labeled with the term "compostable" or "marine degradable" unless, at
the time of sale, the plastic bag meets specified standards for
those types of bags.
   This bill would require a manufacturer of a marine degradable or
compostable plastic bag meeting those standards to ensure that the
marine degradable or compostable plastic bag is readily and easily
identifiable from other plastic bags. The bill would specify that
"readily and easily identifiable" shall mean a uniform color of green
with the label "compostable" and carrying the certification label of
the Biodegradable Products Institute.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: no.
State-mandated local program: no.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 42357.5 is added to the Public Resources Code,
to read:
   42357.5.  (a) A manufacturer of a marine degradable or compostable
plastic bag meeting an ASTM standard specification specified in
paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 42356 shall ensure that
the marine degradable or compostable plastic bag is readily and
easily identifiable from other plastic bags.
   (b) For purposes of this section, "readily and easily identifiable"
means a uniform color of green with the label "compostable" and
carrying the certification label of the Biodegradable Products
Institute.