Malibu Celebrates 4th Year of Plastic Bag Ban on "Day Without A Bag" December 20

Malibu is giving a gift to the environment through participation in the annual "Day Without a Bag." The event on Thursday, December 20, aims to energize the community to make a difference by using reusable shopping bags throughout the year and celebrates the City's ban on the use of plastic shopping bags, actions that have significantly reduced litter and protected wildlife.

To help the community reduce its reliance on all single-use bags, A Day Without a Bag features a free reusable bag giveaway at Malibu City Hall. Bags will be available at the reception area, Senior Center and at the City's Holiday Party while supplies last.

"The City's ban on plastic bags is one of myriad ways that Malibu has delivered on its determination to clean, preserve and protect our environment, especially our ocean and marine life," Mayor Lou La Monte said. "This is part of our legacy to future generations."

The City of Malibu was among the first in the state to adopt a ban on plastic bags, which at the time had the most sweeping coverage to include all commercial and nonprofit retailers and vendors, any goods sold at a facility on public property and at all City events. It has since been used as a model by municipalities throughout the country looking to adopt their own bans.

Heal the Bay began coordinating the now statewide Day Without a Bag event in 2007 to bring attention to the impacts of single-use plastic bags which do not biodegrade, but break down into tiny pieces of toxic waste that enter the food chain by contaminating water and soil. With the City's ban and support from local businesses like Malibu Country Mart, the Malibu community has significantly increased its use of reusable bags, thereby conserving energy and natural resources, reducing waste in landfills, curbing pollution and promoting a cleaner environment.