Richmond Bans Plastic Bags — Should Concord Follow Suit?

Richmond has become the first city in Contra Costa County to ban plastic bags, starting Jan. 1, 2014. The ordinance passed at a city council meeting Tuesday and would also impose a 5-cent fee on paper bags for two years in an effort to encourage reusable bags. Los Angeles also decided Tuesday to became the largest jurisdiction to ban on plastic bags — bringing the total number of city and county ordinances in California to 77.

Concord does not have a plastic bag ban and the city instead asks consumers to recycle polyethylene bags at participating retailers.

Alameda County's ban took effect on Jan. 1, 2013 and stipulates a minimum charge to the consumer of 10 cents per bag for recycled, paper and reusable bags.

Contra Costa County has yet to explore a plastic bag ban, but other cities in the area are considering the option. A group of Lafayette residents are petitioning to have the city to pass such an ordinance and the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce is asking for feedback from residents about the possibility of a plastic bag ban there.

Last month, a proposal to ban plastic bags across California failed to pass in the state Senate. 

According to Californians Against Waste, plastic bag pollution costs millions of dollars each year in cleanup costs. Although 14 billion plastic bags are distributed annually in California, and only 3 percent are recycled.

What do you think? Should Concord ban plastic bags and charge a usage fee for paper, recycled and reusable bags? Share your thoughts in the comments.