San Francisco to ban plastic grocery bags

[almaty 19]

SAN FRANCISCO, California (Reuters) -- San Francisco's Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to become the first U.S. city to ban plastic bags from large supermarkets to help promote recycling.

Under the legislation, beginning in six months large supermarkets and drugstores will not be allowed to offer plastic bags made from petroleum products.

"Many [foreign] cities and nations have already implemented very similar legislation," said Ross Mirkarimi, the city legislator who championed the new law. "It's astounding that San Francisco would be the first U.S. city to follow suit." (Watch why it's no longer politically correct to 'think plastics' )

"I am hopeful that other U.S. cities will also adopt similar legislation," he said. "Why wait for the federal government to enact legislation that gets to the core of this problem when local governments can just step up to the plate?"

The city's Department of the Environment said San Francisco uses 181 million plastic grocery bags annually. Plans dating back a decade to encourage recycling of the bags have largely failed, with shoppers returning just one percent of bags, said department spokesman Mark Westland.

Mirkarimi said the ban would save 450,000 gallons of oil a year and remove the need to send 1,400 tons of debris now sent annually to landfills. The new rules would, however, allow recyclable plastic bags, which are not widely used today.

A spokesman for San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who must approve or veto the legislation, called it sensible. "Chances are good that he is going to sign it," said Nathan Ballard.

[GaryC 7]

That would suck. I can carry 12 bags at a time if they are in plastic. With paper you can only do 2 at a time.

Also, doesn't the tree huggers hate paper?

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

interesting.

Daniel

:energetic:

[Peikko 1,575]

Do you object to every attempt to protect the environment? While it is true that some measures sound good without actually doing good, there are other's that will make a difference. Plastic bags are a hazzard, maybe it's time to look for alternatives and not all alternatives are paper.

[almaty 19]

That would suck. I can carry 12 bags at a time if they are in plastic. With paper you can only do 2 at a time.

Also, doesn't the tree huggers hate paper?

same here...save a tree and hug it..i have to climb a bunch of stairs so, plastic is handy

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

What will baby turtles sleep in?

[almaty 19]

What will baby turtles sleep in?

agreed...and the goldfish .

[Robor007 0]

I don't get it. The article says that shoppers are only returning 1% of plastic bags to the stores but goes on to say recyclable bags are not widely in use today. I think most of the bags I get have the '2' with the arrow around it on the bottom (meaning they are recyclable). The article also says it would prevent 1,400 tons of debris in the landfill. If people aren't returning plastic bags now what makes them think they'll return paper after this rule? And doesn't a paper bag weigh more than it's plastic counterpart? Seems like it would increase landfill usage.

[Peikko 1,575]

Here's a novel thought, use a sturdy re usable bag that'll last a few years.

[almaty 19]

I don't get it. The article says that shoppers are only returning 1% of plastic bags to the stores but goes on to say recyclable bags are not widely in use today. I think most of the bags I get have the '2' with the arrow around it on the bottom (meaning they are recyclable). The article also says it would prevent 1,400 tons of debris in the landfill. If people aren't returning plastic bags now what makes them think they'll return paper after this rule? And doesn't a paper bag weigh more than it's plastic counterpart? Seems like it would increase landfill usage.

you my brother are too logical for the politicians

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

I don't get it. The article says that shoppers are only returning 1% of plastic bags to the stores but goes on to say recyclable bags are not widely in use today. I think most of the bags I get have the '2' with the arrow around it on the bottom (meaning they are recyclable). The article also says it would prevent 1,400 tons of debris in the landfill. If people aren't returning plastic bags now what makes them think they'll return paper after this rule? And doesn't a paper bag weigh more than it's plastic counterpart? Seems like it would increase landfill usage.

paper decomposes way moer quicker.

my beef is that we use it to line our waste baskets at home. aka 'reuse' them for another function, then toss into trash. i suspect others do so too. plus, most simply toss the bags into the thrash. i use to.

i am curious to see what is done in other countries where the plastic baggie is not used.

Daniel

:energetic:

[almaty 19]

brother daniel, in china they are used for condoms, that is why they have so many people..

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Here's a novel thought, use a sturdy re usable bag that'll last a few years.

yup. I have 2.

http://www.cafepress.com/opheliasart/483112

[Dan J 277]

I dont use plastic bags anymore when I go shopping at the supermarket. Paper bags make better garbage bags too, since they keep their shape and stand up.

Edited March 28, 2007 by Dan + Gemvita

[Jasman0717 9]

Plastic bags are a hazzard, maybe it's time to look for alternatives and not all alternatives are paper.

Buy cargo pants with lots of big pockets