L.A. City Council sets the stage for plastic bag ordinance

Vote was 13-1, with Bernard Parks the only no vote (he was concerned about how the ban would effect local businesses - as well as the potential health hazards of reusable bags). This morning's session turned out to be a love-fest for environmental causes (pretty hard to be on the side of plastic bags). With today's vote, around 50 municipalities in California have some sort of ban on plastic bags, although L.A. is the largest by far. This being City Hall, however, it will take a while to take effect. First comes a four- to six-month environmental review that will be brought back to the council for final approval. Then, large retailers will be given a six month grace period for plastic bags (small retailers get 12 months). No change in the use of paper bags for one year; after that retailers would be required to charge 10 cents each. About the only serious opposition centered on potential job losses at the three area businesses that make plastic bags. But most of those bags are for use outside the city of L.A. By the way, the ban would not include those clear plastic bags that are used for produce.