The Santa Monica City Council waited on action late Tuesday on the drafting of an ordinance that would ban “single-use” plastic carry-out bags at all stores and restaurants within the city. The ordinance would also require retailers to charge a fee for paper bags.
The measure, supported by Heal the Bay, an influential environmental organization based in Santa Monica, hopes to shift consumers from highly polluting plastic bags in favor of reusable canvas and other bags.
“This is the farthest-reaching bag ban in the United States, if not the world,” commented Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay. “It’s a bold move by Santa Monica that . . . we hope serves as a model for California and beyond.” Gold said Malibu, Los Angeles and Long Beach were watching Santa Monica’s actions.
Officials were expected to approve the measure Tuesday, but the council tabled discussion in order to take up another budget matter.
This month, a ban on the use of non-recyclable packaging for takeout food and beverages took effect in Santa Monica. Both that ordinance and the plastic bag ordinance were given priority by Dean Kubani, the city’s manager of environmental programs.
In interviews Tuesday, five of seven council members stated that they planned to vote to draft such an ordinance. One councilman said he was undecided.
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