Solid waste: compostable plastic bags.

The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, administered by the California Integrated Waste Management Board, prohibits a person from selling a plastic bag in this state that is labeled with the term "compostable" or "marine degradable" unless, at the time of sale, the plastic bag meets specified standards for those types of bags. This bill would require, beginning July 1, 2010, a manufacturer of a compostable plastic bag meeting those standards to ensure that the compostable plastic bag is readily and easily identifiable from other plastic bags. The bill would define "readily and easily identifiable," to include a compostable plastic bag labeled with a board­approved certification logo and that meets other labeling requirements. The bill would prohibit a compostable plastic bag sold in the state from displaying a chasing arrow resin identification code or recycling type of symbol in any form. The bill would require the manufacturers or suppliers of compostable plastic bags to submit a yearly report to the board containing certain information, subject those manufacturers or suppliers to audit by the board, and require the board to refer a false or misleading certification or other information reported by those manufacturers or suppliers to the Attorney General for prosecution.