This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
How About a Year Without a Bag?
Yesterday's citywide public relations blitz, "A Day Without a Bag," to bring awareness to our bad habits of using and and ditching paper and plastic bags in the trash was a quaint effort by city and county leaders -- a step in the right direction, as it were. Though, in a nation where the average household consumes 750 plastic bags a year, one day, or two bags, is hardly habit forming.
And habit is where it's at. We've been doing the reusable bag thing for sometime now and admittedly, it wasn't the conscious switch to reusable bags that was the hard part, it was the habit of always having the bag with us when we went shopping. It was also about getting over that this was not just about grocery bags, but shopping for amenities at Target, hardware stores, clothing boutiques, etc.
A New Year's resolution for the public? Start the daily habit, it won't happen over night.
A New Year's resolution for Eric Garcetti, Wendy Greuel and the rest of the city and county leadership? Let's finish up that bag talk and get the tough regulations on the books.
Photo: City of Los Angeles Public Works Board Commissioner Paula Daniels, left, and Sanitation Bureau Director Enrique C. Zaldivar, right, display official City reusable bags with Green Santa Claus at The Grove shopping center in the Fairfax District yesterday. Provided by the Bureau of Sanitation.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
