California is similar to France in the way that both places promote environmentally friendly products. Back home, there are many Starbucks that stopped giving plastic straws out; in France it is the same. Paper straws are given out, instead.
This type of environment influences visitors or new members of the community to try to do better, whether this be in this community or in their own. Tote bags are very popular. There are also many recyclable bins and garbage bins throughout the city; and these are changed just before they fill to the top. Electricity is expensive, here, so people restrict their usuage. A common habit is at night: whenever you're not in a room, you turn off all of the lights you are not using.
People are adapted to this way of thinking and being, and they have incorporated these habits into their daily lives. They tend to wash laundry with cold water and hang them up to dry instead of using a dryer which consumes more electricy. They don't really use paper towels, here, and they have reusable water bottles and coffee cups.
