Speak out for reusable bags

I want to encourage all civic-minded residents to speak out on behalf of a La Cañada Flintridge reusable bag ordinance.

Simply put, this ordinance would ban carryout plastic bags, require the sale of carryout paper bags for 10 cents each, and ask that the store have reusable bags for sale. It would not ban the small produce or product bags used for holding lettuce, meat, and other products. The ordinance would apply only to the largest grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience stores. These are the stores that supply the lion’s share of plastic bags. There are only a handful of these large stores in our city. All of the communities surrounding our city now have a Reusable Bag Ordinance and have experienced no problems in the transition process.

Both plastic and paper bags cause environmental problems. Plastic bags are worse because they are light and blow around, and they decompose very, very slowly. As a result, they litter our streets, blow out of the landfills, and get into our storm drains, the L.A. River, the harbor, beaches and ultimately the ocean. Many ocean animals are injured or killed because they ingest or get entangled in plastic bags.

Please join us and speak out for this ordinance at the City Council meeting on Monday, May 6th at 7 PM. Comments from the public are first. The Council room is located on the first floor at 1327 Foothill Boulevard.

Rody Stephenson
La Cañada Flintridge