Reusable bags to be given away

DOWNEY - Nearly 200 locations throughout Los Angeles County, including many in Downey, will be giving away 25,000 reusable shopping bags Dec. 16 as the region celebrates "A Day Without a Bag," which urges consumers to forego one-use plastic or paper grocery bags in favor of reusable totes.Free bags will be distributed until supplies last at Fresh & Easy, Albertson's, Ralphs, 99 Cent Only Stores, Union Bank and other locations. Bags will also be available at the Downey City Library and all Los Angeles County public libraries. A map of all giveaway sites is available at www.healthebay.org/nobagday. "A Day Without a Bag" follows the L.A. County Board of Supervisors' vote in November to ban plastic bags in unincorporated areas of the county. Dozens of other municipalities are pursuing similar measures, including Long Beach. "This year we have more than tripled the number of bag giveaway sites," said Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay. "It reflects the growing groundswell in Los Angeles for reusable bags, which not only save the environment but taxpayer dollars as well, especially in a time of drastic budget shortfalls."

********** Published: December 9, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 34