Plastic Bag Ban Coming Absolutely Positively Eventually Soon, Probably!

That plastic bag ban in Laguna Beach? Almost officially here, but not yet.

In the latest chapter of the continuing effort to rid plastic grocery bags from Laguna Beach—and more importantly, the ocean, and the jowls of cuddly sea critters—the city council voted unanimously last night to ban them. But this wasn’t the official, official ban.

No, that’s still to come, pending a second reading on the matter, which will happen perhaps as soon as the next council meeting. After that, the city will spend $5,000 to school the Laguna Beach citizenry on the ban (a city-run workshop for businesses that would be affected by the law was held last fall).

When the council gives final approval—and it will, unless at least three councilmembers radically change their minds, which ain’t gonna happen—then starting Jan. 1, 2013, single-use plastic bags in Laguna Beach will be objecta non grata.

Unless they’re plastic supermarket produce bags, which for now look like they’ll be exempted.*

The council also agreed that the new law will impose a 10-cent fee per sack if you need to carry your stuff home in a paper bag.

It’s all part of a larger effort to get people into the habit of using their own reusable bags for their grocery shopping. In other words, come January, don't forget to B.Y.O.B.

*Oopsie! The first version of this story said that plastic take-out bags handed out by restaurants will be exempted from the ordinance. Nope, they won't. We're sure the seals approve ...