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Bring Your Own Bag
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the use of reusable shopping bags. For more guidance, please visit this helpful page developed by StopWaste.org.
Alameda County Reusable Bag Ordinance
The Alameda County Waste Management Authority has adopted a Reusable Bag Ordinance to promote the use of reusable bags in place of single-use plastic and paper carryout bags.
- As of January 1, 2013, stores in Alameda County that sell packaged foods and/or alcohol– including most grocery stores, minimarts, convenience stores, liquor stores, and pharmacies no longer provide customers with single-use plastic bags at checkout.
- Bags made of recycled paper or reusable bags may be made available for a minimum price of 10 cents per bag.
- Protective bags for meat and produce will still be allowed.
- Consumers may bring any type of bags from home they wish and are strongly encouraged to do so!
- The Reusable Bag Ordinance will save valuable natural resources, reduce litter, and save our cities money by reducing litter cleanup costs.
- One reusable bag can replace 600 single-use bags over its lifetime.
- Plastic bags are one of the most common litter items found in our creeks, storm drains and streets.
- Storm drain cleanup costs Alameda County cities approximately $24 million every year. Plastic bags are one of the most prevalent items found in storm drains.
- In adopting this ordinance, Alameda County joins several of California’s largest cities, including San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles, that no longer allow the distribution of single-use bags.
Why Bring Your Own Bag?
Start a habit you'll be proud to flaunt: remember your own bags every time you go to the store. It's one simple way to go green in your daily life. And when people see you're making the right choice, they're likely to do it too.
Since 2008, thousands of shoppers have signed Castro Valley Sanitary District’s “Bring Your Own Bag” (BYOB) guest book and pledged to help the environment by bringing their own tote and/or produce bag every time they go to the grocery store. As a result, we estimate that disposable bag use has been reduced by hundreds of thousands of bags per week! Keep up the good work, and keep using those reusable bags!
Remember Your Reusable Bags
- Put your coupons and shopping list in your bag.
- List "Bags" as Item #1 on the shopping list to remind you to bring them.
- Keep bags by the door or on the doorknob.
- Purchase a few compact reusable bags that you can keep with you in a purse, jacket pocket, or backpack, or attach to your keychain.
- Produce Bags- If you prefer to use produce bags for vegetables and fruit, try using mesh laundry or vented cotton bags. Small zippered or drawstring bags work well and are machine-washable. You can reduce your use by not using produce bags at all. Bananas come pre-packaged in their own natural wrapper. A bag is not needed for a single onion. Celery often comes with a twist-tie holding the whole stalk together!
- Snack & Sandwich Bags– Are you using handfuls of plastic zippered bags every day packing lunches and snacks? Reduce your use by purchasing, making, and/or using reusable sandwich and snack bags. There are a number of bag options available today: zippered, folded, tied, etc. and endless patterns, colors, and sizes!
- Party Favor & Treat Bags – Instead of buying single-use Mylar or cellophane bags for your next party or baked good give-away, consider buying or making a party or treat bags that are reusable. Plain bags that can be decorated or personalized makes for a fun party activity.
- Gift Bags – Many reusable bags are the same price as single-use gift bags with handles. Give an extra gift to that someone special and make the wrapper reusable.
- Keep bags organized by use and size: grocery shopping bags separate from bags used for the gym, to carry soccer uniforms or books.
- Regularly wash bags
- Separate raw foods (poultry, meat & fish in a separate bag)
- If your bag pops a seam, repair it! As an example, sew a handle back on.
- If your bag has been well-loved and is no longer useful as a bag, consider other repurpose options first, and then donate the bag with your household goods. Even if the bag is damaged, there are uses for scrap fabric.
- Use bags to transport food donations and donate to the local food bank. Castro Valley Library has a food bank container in the front entry.
- Ask the kids to remind you to bring your bags as part of earning their allowance.
- Decorate bags so that everyone in the family has personalized bags (Dad, Mom, Auntie, etc.).
- Make a healthy lifestyle and balanced nutrition fun by decorating bags so that categories of food have personalized bags (Grains, Veggies, Fruit, Protein, etc.).
- Attach a bundled reusable bag to your dog leash for use.
- Use junk mail, newspaper, or old grocery store advertisements to pick up after your dog & keep the neighborhood clean.
- Attach a bundled reusable bag to your bike for use.
- Put reusable bags back into the car after emptying them.
- Keep bags in the car and at work.
- Leave bags in the driver’s side pocket of the car.
- Keep reusable bags at your desk.
- Bring a bundled bag or two in your suitcase, work bag, or backpack.