Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

In this 2011 file photos, customers of Ralphs supermarket use plastic bags to carry their groceries home in Glendale. Glendale was then considering a ban on the bags similar to the ban in unincorporated L.A. County.

The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote Wednesday on whether to ban plastic bags at grocery stores. Large stores would phase out the bags in the next 6 months, and small stores would have one year. Stores could charge 10 cents for paper bags if the plan is initiated.

The proposal is modeled on similar bag bans elsewhere, like Ireland, Hawaii, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon.

Guest:

Ed Humes is the author of Garbology: Our Dirty Love Affair with Trash.

IFC's Portlandia lampoons bag ban: