With so many billions of bags being consumed each year, addressing the issue of plastic bag litter may seem like a daunting task. The good news is that single use plastic bag litter is caused by individual actions, and individual actions can and will make a huge difference in stemming the tide of single use plastic bag litter. Below are some simple but important things you can do to protect our environment:

• Take the Pledge and use reusable bags whenever and wherever you shop. Keep one or two in your car to make it easy. Urge your friends and family to get into the reusable habit.
• The third Thursday of December, each year, is “A Day Without a Bag” throughout Los Angeles County; and shoppers are urged to forgo single use carryout bags in favor of reusable bags.
• Frequently clean reusable bags.
• Place paper bags in your curbside recycling bin.
• Stay updated with and participate in organizations focused on environmental protection, such as the following:
  • Surfrider Foundation
  • California Coastkeeper Alliance

• Curbside Recycling
• Smart Gardening
• LACoMAX
• News Articles
• Legislative Updates
• Santa Monica High School's Team Marine conducted a study on the effects of the Santa Monica plastic bag ban on consumers' bag choices at Santa Monica grocery stores.
• Video about Impact of Plastic Marine Litter - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has partnered with cartoonist Jim Toomey to produce a video illustrating the destination of a large amount of marine litter. The key is to reduce, reuse, and recycle in order to prevent plastic and other types of litter from polluting wildlife habitats and the communities we live in.

As a concerned member of the community, you may notify the County of a store possibly violating the ordinance, through this link. The County may then take action to inspect the store in question. (Note: It is not your responsibility, nor is the County encouraging you to confront store employees or store management about their possible violations.)

Possible ordinance violations may include:

• Distributing single use plastic carryout bags
• Distributing single use paper carryout bags without a charge (Note: WIC and CalFresh/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers are exempt from this charge)