Bag Specifications

Recycled Paper Bags

Definition
The paper bags your store offers for sale at checkout must meet the following requirements:

• Paper bags must contain no old growth fibers

• Bags must be a minimum of 40 percent post-consumer recycled content paper

• Bags must be 100 percent recyclable and compostable, including the handles

• Bags must have all the following information printed in a highly visible manner on the outside of the bag:
  • The word “recyclable” 
  • Name and country of the manufacturer
  • The percentage of post-consumer recycled content paper

Sourcing  

• Recycled paper bag suppliers & testing resources, PDF prepared by the City of San Jose, Department of the Environment.

Reusable Bags

Definition

Reusable bags your store offers for sale at checkout must have handles and be designed and manufactured to:

• Have a minimum lifetime of 125 uses, which means capable of carrying a minimum of 22 pounds 125 times over a distance of at least 175 feet

• Hold a minimum volume of 15 liters

• Be machine washable or made from a material that can be cleaned or disinfected

• Be at least 2.25 mils thick, if made of plastic

• Have printed on the bag or on a permanent tag all of the following:

  • Name of the manufacturer
  • Country of manufacture
  • A true statement that the bag does not contain lead, cadmium or other heavy metal in toxic amounts
  • Percent of post-consumer recycled material used in the bag, if any

Sourcing

• Please refer to the County of Los Angeles website for a listing of reusable bags in compliance with Ordinance 2012-2. The intent of this listing is to make it easier for stores to find reusable bags in compliance with the Reusable Bag Ordinance in Alameda County. The companies listed and the information presented is subject to change without notice.  The companies listed are not endorsed or recommended by the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, nor is the list inclusive of all bag vendors that supply reusable bags compliant with Ordinance 2012-02.

• If you are a bag vendor with a reusable bag tested for compliance with Ordinance 2012-02 and would like to be added to this database, send an email to bags@stopwaste.org.