Plastic bag ban in Los Angeles approved

On Wednesday, Los Angeles became the largest city in the United States to approve a ban on use of plastic bags at supermarkets, giving a huge victory to clean-water advocates who wanted to reduce the amount of trash filled landfills, waterways, and the ocean.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Because of actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus and many environmental groups, the City Council voted 13 too 1 to ban plastic bags over the next 12 months at roughly 7,500 stores.

"Let's get the message to Sacramento that it's time to go statewide," said Councilman Ed Reyes.

A four-month environmental review of the bag ban has been started. Larger stores have about six months to get rid of plastic bags, while smaller markets have 12 months. Retailers are required to charge 10 cents per bag starting a year after the plastic bag is banned.

"Plastic harms our environment. It is a threat to the coastal economy. It is a danger to marine life and it is an unconscionable burden to taxpayers who have to foot the bill for cleanups year after year," said attorney H. David Nahai, a former top executive at the Department of Water and Power.

Employees of plastic bag manufacturers wore T-shirts with the text "Don't Kill My Job" pleaded without success for the council to change their minds, fearing that they would soon be unemployed.

"My family depends on my job and my benefits, too," said Alejandro Ortega, a 10-year employee of Crown Poly manufacturer.

For four years, environmentalists have tried, without success, to ban plastic bags. During those years, dozens and dozens of cities and counties adopted bans that are similar.

Los Angeles County's 10-cent fee on paper bags has led to a 94% reduction in the use of paper bags.

"There are times every once in a while when there is a need for a paper bag, so having that option is great," said Romer, who has advised cities throughout California on bag laws.

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