Want tea on the go — but don’t want your tea steeping in the plasticky Libretea? There’s a less plasticky option for busy tea lovers: Innate Tea Culture Vaccum Insulated Flask.

This Innate flask lets you steep tea in an all stainless steel environment. The insulated flask is made of stainless steel, as is the removable tea infuser basket.

That said, the Innate flask isn’t totally plastic free. The top black portion’s made with plastic — though the plastic is BPA-free — so once you’re done steeping and start drinking, your hot tea will start touching plastic.

And sadly, the Innate flask’s got other downsides. The holes in the infuser are quite large — and will let through bits and pieces of most tisanes. The cup has no fill-line, which means I have to guesstimate how far I can fill up the cup. Not far enough, and the tea doesn’t actually get infused. Too far, and the cup runneth over when I put in the infuser. I am not good at guessimating, so this is a big problem for me. Last but not least — The cap, described as “leak-proof,” leaks — and I’ve burned my hands a few times as a result.

So I give the Innate flask a C. I still use it occasionally, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it. Libretea users — How does my experience compare to yours?

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>> The City of Los Angeles wants yet more studies on the effects of bag bans before taking any action — nevermind that many, many studies have already been done and many L.A. County cities AND L.A. County have already banned the plastic bag.

>> According to LAist, “Several City Council members have pledged to get the measure passed before March 31, 2012 – before the state Legislature’s spring break.” Let’s hope that really happens.

>> Heal the Bay, the local nonprofit spearheading the bag ban effort, sounds optimistic. Mark Gold, head honcho at Heal the Bay, seems to believe that the city’s call for more studies “sends a loud message to Sacramento to move forward with a statewide ban.” That statewide effort failed back in August 2011. Think it’ll happen in 2012?

>> Last but not least — Santa Monica banned the plastic bag in September, and I’ve noticed many people are either bringing their own bags or doing without at stores since that time. What’s your experience been so far?

Earlier: Styrofoam and the City: The fate of plastic bags and polystyrene in LA

Photo by Kate Ter Harr

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>> Los Angeles could get parklets! Happy Park[ing] Day, everyone! Good news — those mini parks popping up at a parking space near you could become permanent, sort of. LA Daily News reports: “Los Angeles officials announced an effort today to create mini public park spaces downtown and in Highland Park.” (via LAist) Earlier: Los Angeles is park poor compared to most large cities.

>> Finally, Los Angeles may ban plastic bags — and paper bags too! “Under the L.A. proposal, stores would be permitted to give away or sell only reusable tote bags, or risk a fine,” reports the L.A. Times. An exemption would be made for small plastic bags meant to keep raw vegetables and meats separated from other groceries to prevent cross-contamination.” A plastic bag ban is already in effect in unincorporated areas of L.A. County and a handful of nearby cities like Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach. Earlier: Styrofoam and the City: The fate of plastic bags and polystyrene in LA.

>> L.A.’s got a new 2.2-mile bike path down 7th Street, running from Catalina to Figueroa. Happy riding! Earlier: 7th Street to get a bicycle-friendly makeover.

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>> Get a reusable bag already. Burbank and Laguna Beach are the next cities expected to ban the disposable plastic bag. Earlier: Styrofoam and the City: The fate of plastic bags and polystyrene in LA.

>> Ditch the blowdry. The girls at No More Dirty Looks are throwing down The Summer Hair Challenge: “Some time in the next week, when you get up in the morning, shower, shampoo and condition your hair using nontoxic natural products, comb it when you get out of the shower, and that’s it. No leave-ins, no heat. Once it’s dry, send us a pic.” That’s pretty much how I “do” my hair every day, so I’ll just need to snap a pic and send it in by Aug. 21. Yes, there’s a prize involved. Earlier: Book review: No More Dirty Looks — Get pretty by ditching ugly chemicals.

>> Milk the raw food debate. In case you haven’t heard, Rawesome — the Venice food club that hooks locals up with raw milk and other raw goodies — is in big trouble with the government. In Grist, David Gumpert writes “last week’s multi-agency assault on Rawesome Food Club in Venice, Calif., marked the first time individuals associated with a food club or a small farm had actually been thrown into jail, in this case charged with 13 felonies and misdemeanors, and held on high bail (requested between $60,000 and $130,000).” Read the whole article to see how the foodies are fighting back. Earlier: Farmageddon: Raw cheese (and other eco-foodie) debates hit the big screen.

Photo by Kate Ter Harr

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>> Metro day passes are just $5 now! Enjoy the cheaper rides while they last –

>> Plastic bags are officially banned in Long Beach starting today — at least in the big stores. And paper bags will cost you 10 cents each — so remember to BYOB! In case you’ve forgotten, a plastic bag ban also went into effect for the unincorporated areas of L.A. County last month. Here’s how we’re doing on plastic bag bans in L.A County cities. Earlier: Got extra reusable bags? Drop them off at Santa Monica’s Share A Bag spots.

And soon you can expect:

>> Birth control sans copays. Insurers now have to cover birth control with no copays — which I think is big green news. Fewer unplanned pregnancies means fewer baby Americans means fewer resources needed. Earlier: Single and happy? Five single bloggers that make solo living fun.

>> Less trees and better views at Yosemite. Of course, hacking down trees for sightseeing purposes is a plan that’s proving controversial.

>> Less Chromium 6 — a.k.a. the Erin Brokovich chemical — in California tap water. California set the nation’s first public health goal for this carcinogen at 0.02 ppb — an unenforceable limit, but one that’s hoped to, you know, become enforceable. LA Times reports: “Environmentalists praised the new state goal, saying they hoped it would pressure state and federal officials to set enforceable standards for the metal and other drinking water contaminants.”

Photo by Fire Monkey Fish

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