SEATTLE (Recycling Monster): The California State Senate has passed two bills aimed at closing the loophole in the state’s single-use plastic bag ban that allowed distribution of “recyclable” alternative bags.

Firstly, Senate Bill 1053 was introduced by State Sens. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas) and Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), which was approved overwhelmingly by a 30-7 vote. It will now move onto the State Assembly. The State Assembly had also passed an identical bill Assembly Bill 2236, which was introduced by Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) and approved by vote.

Both the bills aim at scrapping of the provision in the original bill that allows stores to distribute thicker, “reusable” bags made from plastic film. In addition, the current requirement of 40% recycled material in paper bags will now be revised to 100%.

Senator Catherine Blakespear noted that the state’s original ban on plastic bags has not worked out as planned. This is quite evident from the fact that the state’s total plastic bag waste has tremendous surge since the ban went into effect. The new bills are aimed at putting an end to the menace that is polluting California’s environment, Blakespear said.

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