LOS ANGELES – Earlier this week, Los Angeles became the largest city to ban plastic grocery bags, approving an ordinance that applies to food stores, mini marts, and retailers with groceries, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The ordinance takes effect in large stores January 1, 2014, and smaller ones July 1, 2014. Consumers will either have to bring their own reusable bags or pay a 10-cent fee for each paper one requested.

While council members backed the initiative last year, this week’s vote was for specific legal language and how it would be enforced. Council members said they hoped the ordinance sends a message to state lawmakers.

"Enough waiting for the Legislature to someday act on this," Councilman Paul Krekorian said. "Let's take a lead."

As for penalties, businesses found to be non-compliant face a $100 fine for the first violation, $200 fine for the second, and $500 for the third. Fines accumulate for each day the violation continues.

The American Progressive Bag Alliance fought the ban, with chairman Mark Daniels calling the 10-cent paper bag fee a “tax scam” that hurts customers. He warned that the ban could result in a loss of 1,000 jobs for plastic bag manufacturers.