As if you need more reasons to ditch single-use plastic bags, today marks Heal the Bay’s second “Day Without a Bag” in Los Angeles County. The environmental organization is supporting the cause by handing out free reusable shopping bags at locations county-wide.
If you remember, in July the LA City Council announced an all-out ban on the ubiquitous plastic bags, which will take effect in 2010. In LA County, large grocers were threatened with a ban unless they reduced the number of the bags used by 30% by 2010 and by 65% by 2013. Of course, the companies that make plastic bags are fighting the measures, putting forth the argument that stores and consumers will use paper bags instead, which they claim are worse for the environment. I guess that they have missed this whole reusable bag movement, huh?
Well, if it’s up to Heal the Bay, no one will go without reusable bags. The organization, dedicated to “making Southern California coastal waters and watersheds, including Santa Monica Bay, safe, healthy, and clean,” will give out more than 75,000 bags today.
Amazingly, 6 billion plastic bags are used every year in LA County – the equivalent of 600 bags per person per year. Less than 5% of the petroleum-based bags are recycled. What a waste.
IMO all bags (paper or plastic) should be banned at grocery stores and assorted merchant locations. Bring your own bag, or go the Sam’s Club route and wheel your stuff to your car and unload it sans bag. It’s really not that hard.