The Los Angeles City Council has voted unanimously to ban plastic bags from stores effective July 1, 2010.  After the ban goes into effect, LA shoppers will have the choice of either bringing their own bag or purchasing a biodegradable bag for 25 cents.

The City of Los Angeles estimates that over 5 billion plastic bags are used each year within the nation’s second largest city, but only 5% of plastic bags in California are recycled.   Said Councilman Ed Reyes who proposed the ban, “We’ve gotten to a point where we need to act as a city, where we can have real results. We’re trying to do it in a way where we can educate and inform the public of what we’re doing.”

This is an excellent move by the City of Los Angeles not only in the positive environmental impact it will have on the region but also in the psychological effect it will have on the general public who will have to remember the need for environmental reforms and civic responsibility each and every time they make a purchase.   You can takepart in finding environmentally responsible bags by checking out the wares of Go Green Bags.

LINKS:

LA Times: L.A. City Council Votes for Ban on Plastic Shopping Bags

ABC 11: No plastic bags in LA stores beginning July 2010

Practically Green: LA’s Plastic Bag Ban