Snacks- SHFT update

Plastic Bag Ban

Passed in L.A. County

When the effort to ban plastic bags across California failed this past August, we were bummed. But we also knew that it would open the door for local governments to do what the state legislature could not. Lo and behold, it was announced today that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has stepped up and passed a ban on plastic bags in grocery and convenience stores.

Since the ban only covers unincorporated areas of L.A. County, it's not a perfect solution. Cities like L.A. would still have to enact their own bans to help end the plastic plague. But it affects about 1.1 million people, so it's a significant win. Also, other cities that are incorporated in the county will have the option to also adopt the plastic bag ban or not.

Under the new law, "No store shall provide to any customer a plastic carryout bag," although exceptions can be made for plastic bags that hold fruit, vegetables, or raw meat in order to prevent contamination. Establishments will have the option to sell paper bags, which they will be required to sell for 10 cents each.

To us SHFTers, this is big news, not only because it takes an important step in addressing the prickly problem of plastic pollution, but also because it shows how lower levels of government can take action on the environment when the governments above them fail. Ahem, state legislators, let's move forward on climate change.