SACRAMENTO, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The California Grocers Association denounced lawmakers Wednesday for failing to approve a measure banning single-use plastic grocery bags.

The non-profit trade association blamed pressure from the American Chemistry Council for the California State Senate's failure to pass Assembly Bill 1998.


The measure would have prohibited the distribution of single-use plastic bags at checkout while providing new incentives for consumers to bring their own reusable bags.

"It's clear that the Senate felt pressure by the American Chemistry Council's hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions; misinformation campaign and radio, television and print ads designed to kill this historic compromise," said Ronald Fong, association president.

The American Chemistry Council was joined by a number of other organizations, including the California NAACP and the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, in opposing the measure.

Tim Shestek of the American Chemistry Council said the bill provided no real solution to California's litter problem and would have hurt the state's economy.