Plastic Bag Ban Likely To Face Court Challenges

A ban on plastic bags in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County has caused some food sellers to worry the measure will do little for the environment while imposing a tax on groceries.

In a 3-1 vote earlier this month, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor prohibited grocery stores, pharmacies and convenience stores from giving customers plastic bags. The ban – which only applies to unincorporated areas, such as South Whittier, Rowland Heights, Charter Oak and Altadena – will allow customers without their own bags to pay 10 cents each for paper bags.

But big box stores, food trucks and other retailers can continue to use plastic bags.

"If the ordinance is really to protect the environment, why don't they just ban plastic bags everywhere?" Stater Bros. Chairman Jack Brown said. "I don't understand why it was limited to grocery stores."

To read the rest of the story, please go to: San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, CA).