It was such a privilege to be part of what has now become legislation that will shape the future of plastic bags in our region. Nothing like getting out there and being among people concerned by the same issues. With Heal the Bay & other organizations and concerned residents, we were rallying to ‘Ban the Bag’, ‘Stop the bag pushers” in front of the Hall of Administration downtown LA. The Bag monsters were there… and piles of bags were placed along the steps of the building to demonstrate its abundance, its overuse, its waste.

On this day, November 16^th, 2010, the board of Supervisors passed a sweeping ban on plastics in LA County in unincorporated areas. This is a major step in the right direction and while imperfect it leads the way for all cities (88) within the County to adopt the same policy.

After the disappointing defeat of AB 1998 a few months ago to ban plastic bags in all of California, the supervisors took it into their own hands to do the right thing and show the rest of the country that it can be done. LA County represents 10.5 million people and is the largest in the nation so their bold decision will impact future areas.

 I had the distinct honor to speak in front of the Board on this issue, which I want to share (we had 1 mn):

My name is Sandrine Cassidy Schmitt, owner of a small woman-owned business based in Culver City. I live on Ballona Creek and am a board member of Ballona Creek Renaissance. I started my company out of sheer horror of all the trash and plastic bags floating down the Creek and directly to the Ocean.

I am here to honor and support your initiative to ban single use plastic bags and for anyone that has any doubt I invite you to come visit the Creek, with me as your guide. We are simply trying to revive an age-old custom of using reusable bags.
Let’s reduce the gyres trash around the world today. This movement will be greater and stronger if legislation passes today.

I am a good example that green business is sound business.

And if anyone of the politicians contests the ban because reusable bags are too expensive, I’ll happily give you a free durable bag. You can visit my website www.june15collection.com

If we can ban smoking, we can bag plastic: it’s for the greater good.”

 The vote was a sweeping ban on plastic bags. The ordinance, which by 2012 will cover 1,000 stores in unincorporated areas, also will require supermarkets and pharmacies to levy a 10-cent surcharge per paper bag. Proponents see it as a model for California.

Read more and watch a news piece on the Los Angeles Times website.