Santa Monica isn't the first city to ban plastic bags -- San Francisco and Mexico City are also bag-free.
Americans throw away 1.4 billion pounds of trash every day, 40 percent of which is packaging that's only used once. One grocery store is hoping to change that.
Paper and plastic bags may now cost five cents each if lawmakers have their way.
After a dramatic season of campaigning and lobbying, three major green measures fell flat when California's legislative session came to an end Tuesday night.
Seattle voters turn down a proposal that would charge 20 cents per plastic bag they use.