L.A. Ban on Plastic Grocery Bags Took Effect Jan. 1

Some Los Angeles grocery store customers had to adjust to a lifestyle change Jan. 1, when a ban on plastic bags took effect.

As of Wednesday, the thin, seemingly ubiquitous carryalls were illegal for all large grocers to distribute. Small markets must follow suit in July.

Customers will have to bring their own bags, buy reusable ones or purchase paper bags for 10 cents apiece. When L.A. passed its plastic bag ban in June, it became the nation’s largest city to take this step. Also affected are major retailers that sell groceries, such as Wal-Mart and Target.