The Board of Supervisors this morning introduced an ordinance banning the sale of single-use plastic bags in Los Angeles County’s unincorporated areas, making the county becomes America’s largest government entity to enact such aggressive environmental legislation.
“With this vote, Los Angeles County becomes a national leader in the movement to promote the use of reusable bags,” Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas said. “Single-use plastic bags take a significant toll on our environment and infrastructure. The vast majority of plastic bags ultimately end up clogging our storm drains, threatening our waters and wildlife. They become a blight within our communities.”
The new ordinance will ban plastic carryout bags and impose a ten-cent charge for paper bags at all supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores and food marts. Retailers, such as supermarkets and large pharmacies, must stop offering single-use plastic bags by Jan. 1 or face enforcement action. Smaller retailers will have until Jan. 1, 2012, to comply.
“We spend $18 million a year to clean up and prevent litter in Los Angeles County,” said Mr. Ridley-Thomas. “This bold move is an economically and environmentally sustainable alternative to such a wasteful habit.”
In 2008, the Board set reduction goals for plastic bags distribution: 30 percent reduction by 2010, 65 percent by 2013. However, when the initial benchmark was not reached, the Board directed staff to finalize a motion to ban the free distribution of plastic bags throughout the unincorporated areas of the county. Mr. Ridley-Thomas supported statewide legislation, AB 1998, to ban single-use plastic bags throughout California. When that effort failed, he joined environmental and community advocates in pursuing a local ban.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas also introduced a motion to ensure that reusable bags not contain levels of lead, cadmium or heavy metals in toxic amounts, as defined by applicable state and federal standards and regulations. This was consistent with his legislative history of advocating for the reduction of lead in the environment because of its irreversible negative effects on the population, particularly children.
Jamarah Harris may be contacted at jharris@bos.lacounty.gov.
