1:13pm | A slew of reusable shopping bag giveaway events are being offered by various Long Beach retailers in anticipation of the citywide plastic bag ban at large grocery stores, big box retailers and large drug stores that sell food and perishable items that is set to begin on Monday.
A complete list of retailers that will no longer be providing plastic carryout bags to consumers as of Aug. 1 can be found at LitterFreeLB.org
The website also offers additional information on ban, including answers to frequently asked questions and a listing of reusable shopping bag giveaway events.
According to City Hall, additional events may be added to the schedule, and visitors to the site should check back periodically for the latest updated list. The list as of Friday, July 29, is as follows:
Top Valu – July 29 through July 31
Two free reusable bags per family will be given to shoppers at these locations:
- 2038 E. 10th St.
- 421 Pacific Ave.
BUY LOW – July 29 through July 31
Two free reusable bags per family will be given to shoppers at:
- 4700 Cherry Ave.
Albertson’s – July 25 through August 9
Shoppers can earn a free reusable bag, while supplies last, when they spend $30 or more on qualifying products in a single transaction with their Preferred Savings Card. Participating locations include:
- 6255 E. Second St.
- 644 Redondo Blvd.
- 101 E. Willow St.
- 6235 E. Spring St.
- 450 Long Beach Blvd.
Vons – July 29 through July 31
Vons shoppers will receive one free eco-friendly, reusable bag when they spend $25, two free bags when they spend $50, and three free bags when they spend $75 on qualifying purchases in a single transaction with their VonsClub card and coupon. Limit three free bags per household. Each of the participating locations below will have 3,000 free reusable bags to give away:
- 1820 Ximeno Ave.
- 600 E. Broadway
- 3900 E. Ocean Blvd.
- 4550 Atlantic Ave.
- 5949 E. Spring St.
Food For Less – July 31 through August 1
Free reusable bags will be given to shoppers, while supplies last. Consumers at the participating locations listed below are eligible for one free reusable bag per family.
- 6700 Cherry Ave.
- 2185 South St.
Target – August 1
Free reusable bags will be given to shoppers, while supplies last. One free bag per purchase at the following Target locations:
- 6750 Cherry Ave.
- 2270 N. Bellflower Blvd.
Target is also offering their signature reusable bags for 50 cents each during the month of August. These reusable bags are regularly priced at 99 cents each.
The Long Beach City Council voted to ban the distribution of plastic carryout bags and approved a 10-cent- per-bag charge for recyclable paper bags in May 2011. The plastic bag ban ordinance is designed to reduce litter in the city’s neighborhoods, plastic debris in the city’s waterways and storm drains and waste transported to landfills. It also aims to promote the use of reusable bags.
For more information, please visit LitterFreeLB.org, send an e-mail to [email protected] or call 562-570-2876.