California's

In response to an ongoing effort for environmental consideration, Malibu's City Council has joined the cities of Santa Monica and San Francisco recently by unanimously approving an ordinance to eliminate plastic bags from retail stores, grocery markets, and restaurants. The ordinance states that the businesses will have six months to comply before facing a fine of $1000, but will allow small vendors up to a year to replace plastic shopping bags.

Environmental groups consider this ban, originating in San Francisco, as a model for others to adopt, citing that clogged storm drains and ocean deposits have been a threat to marine life and have impacted land fills and beaches alike. Additionally, an average of $25M/year is spent by taxpayers to collect and dispose of plastic bags. Of course, the ban on plastic poses new debate concerning the impact of vendors replacing plastic with an abundance of paper product. Last summer, a recycling bill was put into effect statewide requiring large California grocery stores and pharmacies to collect and recycle plastic and to sell reusable bags. This was perhaps the precursor to a huge leap in mandated eco-consciousness.