Southland shoppers will receive an early holiday present on Thursday, Dec. 17, courtesy of a giveaway of nearly 20,000 reusable bags at more than 50 locations throughout Los Angeles County.
A unique coalition of major retailers, local governments and regional environmental groups has formed to organize the third annual “Day Without a Bag,” which urges consumers to forego environmentally harmful one-use plastic or paper grocery bags in favor of reusable totes.
Dozens of community groups, from soccer clubs in Highland Park to Girl Scout troops in Agoura Hills, will be conducting bag giveaways and grassroots education for consumers throughout the region. The event, organized by environmental group Heal the Bay, is sponsored by the city and county of Los Angeles. The cities of Long Beach and Signal Hill have also declared Dec. 17 as “A Day Without a Bag.”
The cities and county will distribute free reusable bags to patrons at high-profile shopping centers throughout the region. A diverse mix of retailers is scheduled to support the event through in-store promotions or giveaways at stores countywide, including the Albertsons, Ralphs, 99 Cents Only, and Bed Bath & Beyond chains.
A public awareness campaign about the economic and ecological benefits of reusable bags is being aimed at county residents, who use more than six billion disposable plastic shopping bags each year.
The county’s “Brag About Your Bag” campaign began on Nov. 15 and is distributing more than 50,000 bags at dozens of supermarkets leading up to “A Day Without a Bag.”
“This year we have more than doubled the number of cities in the county that are supporting ‘A Day Without a Bag,'” said Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay. “It reflects the growing groundswell in Los Angeles for reusable bags, which not only save the environment but taxpayer dollars as well, especially in a time of drastic budget shortfalls.”
California municipalities spend nearly $25 million each year just to collect and dispose of plastic bag waste. Less than five percent of plastic grocery bags are recycled each year in Los Angeles, so the remainder clogs precious landfill, litters public spaces and harms animal life when the bags infiltrate waterways.
Earthwise Bag Co. leads the list of companies that have provided thousands of reusable bags for distribution at sites countywide.
Many progressive local governments countywide have already taken action or are exploring policies to curb the use of plastic bags. The cities of Santa Monica, Malibu and Manhattan Beach have adopted pending ordinances that prohibit retail establishments, restaurants and vendors from providing single-use plastic bags to customers.
Paper bags, while biodegradable, still require vast amounts of fossil fuels and water to produce, distribute and collect for disposal.
Heavy-duty reusable bags are convenient, environmentally friendly alternatives that have been embraced by millions around the world. Ireland has been able to reduce its use of disposable grocery bags by 90 percent since 2001 via public programs.
More Information
healthebay.org/nobagday/2009
