Contact Us
Alameda County Waste Management Authority
1537 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612
510-891-6575 • bags@stopwaste.org
Additional Resources for the Media
I don't think my store is affected by the ordinance, what should I do?
If your store does not meet the requirements of an affected store, please complete the Contact Us form or call the Reusable Bag Ordinance phone line at (510) 891-6575.
Why was there a time delay between the inspection of my store and the receipt of an Official Notification?
The Alameda County Waste Management Authority did not issue official notifications until 200 stores' inspections were completed and results were analyzed. Future notifications will be sent more closely to the inspection date.
When can I expect to be inspected again?
Stores who received notification that they are in violation of either "Distributing Single Use Carryout Bags" and/or "Failure to charge or charging an insufficient fee for paper bags or reusable bags" will have 30 days to correct the violation. The Alameda County Waste Management Authority may send a representative to your store anytime after 30 days from the date on your Official Notification to re-inspect the store for compliance.
What do I do with my existing supply of non-compliant bags?
As an Agency dedicated to reducing the amount of waste heading to landfill, please don't send those bags to landfill!
We suggest the following options:
Where do I submit evidence of a corrected violation?
Evidence of a corrected violation will be collected when an Alameda County Waste Management Authority enforcement officer re-inspects the store to verify the correction(s). You may contact us through the Contact Us form or call the Reusable Bag Ordinance phone line at (510) 891-6575.
Who do I notify that I have corrected the violation?
An Alameda County Waste Management Authority may send a representative to your store any time after 60 days of date on the Official Notification letter to ascertain if the violation has been corrected.
You may contact us through the Contact Us form or call the Reusable Bag Ordinance phone line at (510) 891-6575.
Are plastic bags labeled or sold as “compostable” or “bioplastic” or “biodegradable” allowed as reusable bags?
The Alameda County Reusable Bag law requires a “reusable bag” to meet certain performance criteria, as verified by an independent laboratory, to be considered compliant. Plastic bags labeled or sold as “compostable” or “bioplastic” or “biodegradable” generally do not meet the specifications of a compliant reusable bag under the Alameda County law.&n
What information needs to be printed on reusable bags?
Reusable bags need to have the following information printed on the bag or on a permanent tag:
- 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
Please see Bag Specifications for more information.