Single-Use Bag Rules

The City of Berkeley has rules for the types of bags that businesses and vendors can provide and how these bags are provided. These rules help reduce litter and waste in our community. 

The guidelines apply to all entities that provide or sell goods directly to a customer, such as: 

• Grocery stores  
• Events including markets, festivals, and City-sponsored events 
• Retail stores 
• Convenience stores 
• Restaurants (requirements are slightly different from other businesses) 

ENCOURAGE CUSTOMERS TO CHOOSE REUSABLE OR COMPOSTABLE BAGS 

Requirements for businesses and vendors are designed to encourage customers to use reusable, compostable, or recycled-content bags. 

Businesses and events should allow customers to bring reusable bags and containers, unless they are inappropriate or unsanitary. 

Grocery stores 

Large grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience food stores, or any other entity that sells food products and has a total floor are over 2,500 square feet must follow carryout bag requirements in addition to pre-checkout bag requirements. Pre-checkout bags are bags provided for customers to carry produce, bulk food, or other products to checkout. 

• Recycled-content paper pre-checkout bags: may provide for free 
• Plastic pre-checkout bags: may provide for 10 cent charge per bag 
• Customers who receive California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or Calfresh benefits are exempt from the bag charge.  
• Plastic bags for meat or seafood may be provided for free only upon request. Businesses must post clear signage for customers that plastic bags are not composted and are sent to landfill. Signage should also provide information about alternative options such as bringing their own bag, or acquiring recycled content paper or reusable pre-checkout bags. 
• Stores should make reasonable efforts to make reusable pre-checkout bags available for sale.  

Restaurants 

Restaurants have specific requirements that differ slightly from other entities. 

• Recycled-content paper bags: may be provided for free 
• Plastic carryout bags: may be provided for 10 cent charge per bag, only if a customer requests one 

In addition, restaurants must follow rules for single-use foodware. 

All other entities 

Entities selling perishable or nonperishable goods (including grocery stores) must follow the carryout bag guidelines below. 

• Plastic film carryout bags regardless of thickness are not allowed  
• Recycled-content paper carryout bags: may provide for 10 cent charge per bag 
• Customers who receive California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or Calfresh benefits are exempt from the bag charge.  
• Reusable carryout bags may be provided or made available for sale  

STANDARDS FOR RECYCLED-CONTENT AND REUSABLE BAGS 

Recycled-content paper bags must meet certain standards: 

• Contain no old growth fiber and a minimum of 40 percent postconsumer recycled material 
• 100 percent recyclable and compostable 
• Has the following information printed clearly on the outside of the bag: the words “Recyclable,” the name and location of the manufacturer, and the percentage of postconsumer recycled content   

Reusable pre-checkout bags have specific requirements: 

• Washable by hand or machine, or is made from a material that can otherwise be cleaned or disinfected 
• Does not contain lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in toxic amounts 
• Has the following information printed on the bag or a tag permanently attached to the bag: the name of the manufacturer, the location (country) where the bag was manufactured, a statement that the bag does not contain lead, cadmium or any other heavy metal in toxic amounts, and the percentage of postconsumer recycled material (if any) 
• Not made of plastic film, regardless of thickness 

Reusable carryout bags must meet the standards for pre-checkout bags listed above, as well as additional requirements: 

• Minimum lifetime of 125 uses 
• Minimum volume of 15 liters 

EXEMPT BAGS 

Product bags and packaged bags are exempt from the requirements. 

• Product bags are bags that are integral to the packaging of a product such as film; bags used to contain liquids to prevent spillage, bags used to hold prescription medication from a pharmacy, or bags placed over clothing at a dry cleaning or laundry facility.  
• Packages of multiple bags used for garbage collection, pet waste, yard waste, and other bags integral to the use of other objects.  

ENFORCEMENT AND WAIVERS 

Enforcement is currently complaint-based only. To submit a complaint regarding a non-compliant entity, please submit a request online and include the site address or event and "Bag Ordinance Enforcement" in the subject line.  

If the City receives a complaint about a business or vendor, we will provide a written notice of noncompliance, an offer of technical assistance or other resources to help businesses comply, and an opportunity to comply or to initiate a request for a waiver, if applicable.  

If you believe you qualify for a waiver, fill out a waiver application form and email with any attached documentation to customerservice@berkeleyca.gov. Title the subject line “Bag Ordinance Waiver Request.”