LA County passes plastic bag ban

The LA Times reports on the recent environmental success in LA County, where a wide-ranging plastic bag ban was passed yesterday. The policy also implements a 10-cent fee for use of paper bags, making this policy one that is truly intended to change consumer behavior and expectations of getting free disposable bags.

Read more here: LA County passes sweeping ban on plastic bags.

As usual, the solitary no vote was also the solitary Republican on the council, who cites the tried and tested partisan message of "this will kill small businesses" and "poor people can't afford to buy bags." I have to go all talking head on you here, just for a quick moment, and say I am sick and tired of these false excuses. If you can, come up with a good rationale for the continued use of disposable bags - but please, don't patronize everyone by saying you oppose it for the poor people. Please.

Now, let's hope our state assembly can get their hands out of the lobbyist cookie jar and enact a state-wide ban.