Capitola Giving Out 500 Reusable Bags as Plastic Ban Begins

Contributed by the City of Capitola

As a coastal city, Capitola has a strong interest in protecting the marine environment, an element which contributes to the unique quality of life in Capitola. Plastic bags that find their way into the marine environment essentially remain there indefinitely since most plastic bags do not biodegrade.

According to the organization Californians Against Waste, plastic bags are among the most commonly found items during beach and coastal clean-ups. In California, 14 billion plastic bags are distributed annually, and only three percent are recycled.

In January of this year, the Capitola City Council adopted an ordinance which bans the distribution ofs ingle-use carryout bags at all retail and grocery stores and requires them to charge 25¢ for paper bags. The ordinance becomes effective on April 10.

To mark this occasion, the City of Capitola has partnered with Patch.com, Nob Hill, Rite Aid, Save our Shores and Bag Speak/Bagito to give away free reusable bags to the first 500 customers. 

There will be two locations for the free giveaway on April 10 at 10:00 am — Nob Hill Grocery Store located at 809 Bay Ave. Rite Aid located at 1475 41st Ave. There is a limited number of reusable bags available.