When this new ordinance goes into effect, 30% of California's population will be covered by some sort of plastic checkout bag ban. The intent is to embrace reusable bags to help reduce plastic bag pollution. Plastic bags are typically a top-five item collected at beach cleanups, they blow away easily, are not typically recycled and there is an easy solution with reusable bags. Most of the plastic checkout bag bans include a ten-cent fee on paper bags as an incentive to remember your bags or go without one for a small purchase.
Reusable bag germ scares and job loss claims have both been debunked. The time is now for more cities to join this important first step in curbing plastic pollution. We call on any state legislature to be the first to truly stand up again plastic bag litter with a meaningful bag bill. Help to Rise Above Plastics by getting involved with your local Surfrider Chapter.
The LA River, the beaches, and the ocean thanks the LA City Council and Mayor Villaraigosa!