Long Beach Bans Plastic Bags. Will Los Angeles do the Same?

by Jessica Belsky · 2010-12-14 07:45:00 UTC
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Recently, the County of Los Angeles set a great environmental precedent: L.A. County banned single-use plastic grocery bags in unincorporated areas. The County ban doesn't include the City of Los Angeles, yet it still covers more than one million residents, making it one of the most far-reaching bag bans yet. Now other cities in the L.A. area have a strong example to follow after state-wide bag legislature fell apart earlier this year despite widespread support from everyone from grocers to the Governator.

Long Beach, C.A. is the most recent city to step up to the plate and enact its own bag ban this month. While the City of Los Angeles is the most populous city in the county, Long Beach comes in second. The Long Beach City Council voted in favor of the bag ban, which mirrors the county ban.

While the bag ban is a huge coup for environmentalists, both bans may still be facing opposition from the Save the Plastic Bag Coalition, which threatened a lawsuit following the county ban. The Save the Plastic Bag Coalition has a long history of legal objections against cities that work to enact legislation against plastic bags. The City of Manhattan Beach's bag ban is currently on hold due to such a lawsuit. Yet, some California cities have managed to pass successful bag bans despite well-funded opposition from Big Plastic.

The reasons to ban the bag are many, including the fact that they're made from one of the dirtiest substances around — petroleum. The bags seldom get reused or recycled, either: In California, only about 5 percent make their way to recycling centers.

Single-use plastic bags present more than just environmental concerns. For instance, if you think that bag is free at the checkout, think again. The cost of the bag to the grocery store just forces the company to charge you more for your food. Check out this Jeremy Irons-narrated mockumentary for more reasons to lay off the bags.

So who will be next to ban these environmental scourges? Nearly four million people call the City of Los Angeles home. Take this chance to let the City know that it should follow the example of the County and many others working to reduce the ubiquitous urban tumbleweed. Sign our petition asking the Los Angeles City Council to bag single-use plastic bags within city limits.

Photo credit: taberandrew via Flickr

Jessica Belsky is a freelance writer and communications manager at an environmental non-profit.
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