Should Monrovia Ban Plastic Bags?

Several local residents urged the Monrovia City Council to implement a ban on plastic bags at grocery stores and convenience stores during the council's regular meeting Tuesday.

One by one, residents took to the podium and asked the council to consider banning the bags as other local communities have done recently.

"Monrovia is a beautiful and environmentally conscious city and I think that by adopting a reusable bag ordinance you can further enhance the city’s environmental image," resident Rhodes Stephenson told the council.

Six other residents joined Stephenson in imploring the council to consider a reusable bag ordinance, and one councilman made it known that he firmly supports a ban.

"I think it’s a socially primitive, myopic and childish way of living to simply pollute behind you as you go through life without consideration for other people," Councilman Alexander Blackburn said. "I can’t see any possible reason for not implementing this ban other than we’re just too lazy to think and take a few moments before we go to the grocery store."

The city and county of Los Angeles have each instituted their own plastic bag bans over the last few months and other local cities like Pasadena and Glendale also forbid the bags.

Mayor Mary Ann Lutz noted that no ordinance has been drawn up in Monrovia as of yet but she hinted that the council could discuss the topic soon.

"I assume we will be bringing this item up," she said.