Get Free, Reusable Bags in Lieu of Plastic Ones

The ban on plastic bags will go into effect July 1 for large grocery stores and pharmacies.

On Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Department of Public Works will be handing out free, reusable bags at Ralph's, 2675 Foothill Blvd in La Crescenta - the closest grocery store to La Cañada that is participating in the giveaway -  to remind customers about the plastic bag ban and encourage them to use reusable bags to avoid the 10-cent surcharge on paper bags.

Hear what people are saying:

The ban was approved by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors in November, and applies to all unincorporated areas. By January 1, 2012, smaller stores will have to cooperate with the ban, too.

The ban is intended "to reduce the negative economic and environmental impacts associated with single use bags," according to the DPW. It will affect nearly 1,000 stores across L.A. County.

Supervisor Michael Antonovich, who represents La Cañada, Montrose and La Crescenta, was the only Supervisor to vote against the ban.

"I voted 'no' on the ban based on the facts that it is not sound public policy, and it also only increases costs and regulations on the 1.5 million residents and businesses residing in the county's unincorporated areas--not the county's 88 cities," Antonovich said in a statement shortly after votes were cast.

Antonovich also said the new 10-cent surcharge on paper bags "represents a new tax on the consumer."