Los Angeles became the largest US city to ban plastic bags at grocery, convenience and other stores on Tuesday when the City Council voted 11-1 in favor of the initiative. Once the law is in effect, around one-fourth of California’s population will be subject to laws moving consumers towards reusable bags, says Kirsten James of advocacy group Heal the Bay. The ordinance will be phased in over the next year, becoming applicable to large stores on January 1, 2014 and small stores on July 1, 2014.