The second-largest American city on Tuesday announced it will enforce a total ban on plastic bags from retail stores starting July 1, 2010, in an effort to rid the city of an estimated 2.3 billion non-biodegradable plastic bags each year.

The move by Los Angeles came after San Francisco issued a similar anti-pollution policy. The Los Angeles City Council said the ban will affect all supermarkets, grocery and retail stores.

According to the new regulation, starting July 1, 2010, all customers must have their own bags or buy bags made of paper or other biodegradable material. But the bags must not cost more than 25 cents.