With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
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.
Take a Tote: Long Beach, Your Plastic Bag Ban Begins August 1
Photo by currybet via Flickr
()
Officials in Long Beach are busy preparing businesses and consumers that the city's ban on disposable, single-use plastic shopping bags goes into effect on August 1st. Their campaign, "Take a Tote," has found the city hosting reusable bag giveaways at various locations in the LBC to help customers get all geared up for the switch.
Long Beach has also created a website that provides information about the ban, including what retailers are affected. The August 1 date is for "large" retailers, like major chain grocery and drug stores. Smaller retailers will need to ditch the plastic by January 1, 2012.
Says Vice Mayor Suja Lowenthal of the ban:
“Long Beach is ground zero for plastic bag pollution in southern California. What starts out as litter on the street 40 miles away from Long Beach becomes marine debris half buried on our beaches or floating in a few feet of water off our shores. As a beach city, and particularly one that is located at the base of the Los Angeles River, I hope our ban will inspire upstream cities to think sustainably, and consider reducing their plastic waste as well.”
Support for LAist comes from
The movement to ban the bag in Long Beach began in late 2010, and was approved in May 2011. Similarly to the ban imposed in unincorporated Los Angeles county, which recently went into effect, consumers may purchase a paper bag for 10 cents apiece, but stores are prohibited from distributing disposable plastic bags.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent. -
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures.
Best of LAist