Los Angeles Gets Hip on Reusable Bags

Some Los Angeles grocery stores will give away reusable shopping bags today and Tuesday in observance of Earth Day, according to the California Grocers Assn.

The association and the city of Los Angeles are teaming up to give away about 50,000 bags at about 40 grocery stores to encourage consumers to use reusable bags.

The soft, durable bags are made of 100% recycled water, soda and food containers and carry the message, “Great Taste & Zero Waste.”

Environmentalists say most paper and especially plastic grocery bags get thrown away and take up room in landfills or in some cases harm wildlife. Opponents say reusable grocery bags are impractical.

Reusable bag use has increased since the implementation of a statewide plastic bag recycling law last July. Along with requiring grocers to provide in-store plastic bag recycling, the law also calls for grocery retailers to provide reusable shopping bags for sale, according to the association.

Some lawmakers also want to charge consumers by the bag if they refuse to use reusable bags.

Participating stores include Albertsons, Pavilions, Vons, Ralphs, El Super, Food 4 Less, Henry’s Farmers Market, K.V. Mart, Smart & Final and Superior Grocers markets, and each City Council district will have at least one participating store.

One bag will be given with each customer transaction while supplies last.

“Reusable shopping bags are a readily available, viable and cost effective alternative to traditional shopping bags and we encourage consumers to adopt their use,” said CGA President Ronald Fong.

“We commend the city of Los Angeles for taking the lead in reusable bag awareness and education and hope this event sets the stage for partnerships with other municipalities throughout the state.”

The California Grocers Assn. is a nonprofit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents about 500 retail members operating more than 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and about 200 grocery supplier companies.

Below is a list of participating grocery stores:

– Albertsons at 3840 S. Labrea Ave., Los Angeles; 9022 Balboa St., Northridge; 6240 Foothill Blvd, Tujunga; 7224 Mason Ave., Canog Park; 2035 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles; and 7227 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys.

– El Super at 12727 Sherman Way, North Hollywood and 14620 Parthenia St., Panorama City.

– Food 4 Less at 5100 N. Figueroa St., Highland Park; 5420 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; 2750 E. First St., Los Angeles; and 1820 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles.

– Henry’s Farmers Market at 820 N. Western Ave., San Pedro.

– Pavilions at 6534 Platt Ave., West Hills and 727 N. Vine St., Los Angeles.

– Ralphs at 4760 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles; 12057 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles; 19871 Rinaldi St., Northridge; 1050 N. Western, San Pedro; 21909 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; 10901 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; 10861 Le Conte Ave., Westwood; 14049 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; 17250 Saticoy St., Van Nuys; 10400 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills; and 645 W. Ninth St., Los Angeles.

– Smart & Final at 3607 Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.

– Superior Super Warehouse at 6140 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood; 9801 N. Laurel Canyon, Pacoima; 10211 S. Avalon Blvd., Los Angeles; 8811 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles; and 5824 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.

– Valu Plus Food Warehouse, 120 W. Anaheim, Wilmington and 6820 De Soto Ave., Canoga Park.

– Vons at 2511 Daly St., Los Angeles; 20440 Devonshire St., Chatsworth; 3461 W. Third St., Los Angeles; 7311 N. Figueroa St., Eagle Rock; 1221 Gaffey St., San Pedro; 7789 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga; 3118 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles; and 10321 Sepulveda Blvd., Mission Hills.

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 5:47 am and is filed under Bag News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.