June 5 - LA City Council Committee Discusses Bag Ban Today

*Update* The council committee continued the item for discussion on June 17, 2013. The full council will consider the ordinance on June 18, 2013.

Today, a council committee for LA City is discussing a potential plastic bag ban. If adopted, an LA bag ordinance would be the largest in the nation, covering a population of just under 4 million people.

The Energy and Environment committee, which consists of five council members, will consider whether or not the bag ban moves forward to the full council for further discussion. The ordinance is similar to the LA County bag ban, which has resulted in a 95% reduction of all single-use bags since 2011, including a 30% reduction in paper bags.

What you can do to help:

  • Attend the meeting in support. The E&E committee meets at 2 pm today in City Hall (200 North Spring Street, Room 1010, LA, CA). The agenda is available online.
  • Write the the council president and members in support. It's fast, and you can personalize the pre-written message. Take action now!
  • Call or email your council member directly. Contact information can be found online.

The ordinance is also similar to a statewide measure, SB 405, that fell short of passage last month by just 3 votes. LA City's bag ban adoption could help tip the balance by adding to the local momentum on plastic bag ordinances.

(photo credit: Heal the Bay)

Lanh Nguyen