A BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS GOES INTO EFFECT TODAY FOR THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE. THE CITY NOW JOINS A HANDFUL OF OTHER CENTRAL COAST JURISDICTIONS LIMITING THE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS. THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE HAS SAID ALL STORES WITHIN THE CITY LIMIT WILL NO LONGER PROVIDE PLASTIC BAGS AT CHECKOUT, AS WELL AS A NEW FEE OF 10 CENTS FOR EACH PAPER BAG USED BY A CUSTOMER. Affordable reusable bags are available at most local markets. The city of Watsonville says the bag ban is an effort to make the community clear, safer and healthier. The average person uses 500 plastic bags each year; yet, only three percent of these plastic bags are recycled
