On Tuesday, September 23, Governor Jerry Brown signed the first statewide ban of plastic grocery bags in the nation in an act to reduce pollution.

Although Brown signed for the ban on plastic bags, manufacturers of plastic bags are already fighting to repeal the law. The law is said to go into effect in July of 2015.

“This bill is a step in the right direction-it reduces the torrent of plastic polluting our beaches, parks and even the vast ocean itself,” Gov. Brown said. “We’re the first to ban these bags, and we won’t be the last.”

The law, SB270 will prohibit stores from using single-use plastic bags to shoppers, and will have to provide paper bags with a ten cent charge. This law does not, however, pertain to the plastic bags used for meats and vegetables.

This new law marks a major success for environmentalists and activists who have pushed for the ban of plastic bags for years. Other states, such as Hawaii, are on their way to do the same as California.

Though the law has made many rejoice, plastic bag manufacturers are aggressively pushing back. They argue that the ban will cost the jobs of thousands of Americans.

Plastic bag manufacturers have argued that their plastic bags are beneficial, because they pose less as a risk of contamination than reusable bags would, and that jobs would be destroyed.

The executive director of manufacturers of plastic bags, Lee Califf is not happy with the signing of the law. He believes that it will change the Californian economy in a negative way.

“If this law were allowed to go into effect, it would jeopardize thousands of California manufacturing jobs, hurt the environment and fleece consumers for billions so grocery store shareholders and their union partners can line their pockets,” Lee Califf, executive director of manufacturers said.

However, it has been stated that Californians would reject this argument and their to adapt themselves to help the environment. Even with the ten cent charge on bags, people will be willing to change their ways to protect their state.

Even Monte Vista students, such as Rachel Harvill ,agrees that her family wouldn’t have a problem mending their ways and stop using plastic bags to keep California healthy.

“We should stop using plastic bags,” senior Rachel Harvill said. “ Plastic stays in the environment forever, and making the change shouldn’t be that hard for anyone.”