Are You Cheering or Dissing L.A.'s Ban on Plastic Bags?

Yesterday, I read an article in USA Today about how Los Angeles is set to ban plastic bags starting in July 2010. After that date, shoppers can either bring their own cloth bags or they can pay $.25 for a paper bag or biodegradable bag.

Of course, I give two thumbs up to L.A. for taking this environmental stand. According to the article, “The city estimates more than 2 billion plastic bags are used each year in Los Angeles. About 5% of plastic bags and 21% of paper bags are recycled in California.”

As someone who not only recycles but composts (and probably accumulates enough garbage to fill one garbage bag every two weeks) I literally can’t imagine putting a plastic bag into the garbage. It’s such a mindless act! This is a we’re-all-in-it-together issue. It’s not my job to save your planet.

I realize the economy is bad and people are busy raising kids, but neither one is a legitimate excuse for not taking care of the environment. Sorry. Try again. This is a live-or-die issue—it might not come to that in our lifetime, but that’s where the human race is headed if we don’t change course. So are you too busy working hard to live? Are you too busy raising your kids to raise them with good morals, good eating habits, and a good future?

Think about it.

And here’s something else to think about: The negative comments posted to the USA Today article. People, for the most part, aren’t happy with the ban. I understand that change is scary and that being asked to be accountable when you’re used to being wasteful will be a shock to the system. I think we need to be shocked and I hope other cities are inspired by L.A.’s ban.

Question of the blog: Do you agree with or oppose L.A. ban on plastic bags?