A ban on single use plastic bags is now the law in the city limits of South Lake Tahoe, Calif. Local grocery stores have been preparing for the new ordinance that was approved Oct. 15, 2013 by the South Lake Tahoe City Council.
Mike Schouten, who with his wife Kim own the South Lake Tahoe Grocery Outlet, says they have been prepping their cashiers on how to present the lack of plastic bags to their customers. They've also been communicating with their customers as to what to expect so no one will be surprised on their next shopping trip.
"Some are surprised and appreciate being notified," said Schouten.
They recently gave out a few thousand reusable bags to customers. Beginning Wednesday, paper bags will be available for purchase at check out for 5 cents and the reusable bags for 10 cents.
The City of South Lake Tahoe Lead Safe Program has been distributing free reusable bags at local grocery stores this week.
On Monday they handed out over 300 at the Raley's Stateline store. On Tuesday they were handing the bags out to Safeway customers walking in the door. During the first day of the ban on Wednesday they'll be at Raley's at the Y from 1 pm to 3:30 pm and at the Grocery Outlet store from 4 pm to 6 pm. Lead Safe Tahoe had 1,500 bags to give away.
According to April Kirkhuff of Raley's at the Y, they are pulling all single use plastic bags out of the store at midnight on Tuesday. Shoppers can purchase paper bags at the check out stand for 5 cents. Store employees will be handing out 500 free reusable bags to shoppers on Wednesday. All of their unused single use bags will be sent to their Carson City store.
Safeway declined to comment but it was discovered that shoppers who spend $75 get three free reusable bags, spend $25 for one free bag and they too will be selling paper bags at the checkout.