Plastic bag ban nears

Citing the area's polluted streets, rivers and ocean, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday took its first tentative step toward banning public use of plastic bags and phasing in a ban on city purchase and use of polystyrene products. Daily News.

Despite industry officials who said the products are recyclable - and that future technologies could deal with the problem - the council voted 13-0 to ban use of plastic bags in the city by 2010.

It also voted to start to phase out polystyrene products at all city facilities - including Los Angeles International Airport - beginning July 1, 2009.