San Francisco to ban plastic grocery bags

[cellarlily 0]

Chicago is starting to move in the right direction. We have a "Blue Bag" recycling program where all our recycled goods must be in a blue bag which is then thrown in with the regular trash (no separate bins). Grocery and drug stores are starting to switch to blue shopping bags so people can reuse them to put their recycleables in.

I save all my plastic bags (as long as they're not torn up) for other uses and for cleaning out the cat box.

[Robor007 0]

I save all of my plastic grocery bags as well. I either reuse them or when I get too many stored I put a bunch of them together and put them in the box at the front of the store.

[Dr_LHA 3]

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.

Most people have recycling pickup at their homes that will take paper bags. My recycling pickup does not accept plastic bags for recycling, does anyone elses?

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?

If you read the article it states that recyclable plastic bags will still be allowed. My local grocery store just started using these, they're usually brown (I'm sure that's just coloring though!).

Edited March 28, 2007 by dr_lha

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

They take plastic bags in my recycling - I'm not sure how well people recycle them properly, however.

I am all for a plastic bag ban -- I hate them. If you get one of those cloth grocery bags (like they sell at Trader Joes) they make carrying groceries much easier than either paper or plastic. And besides, who outside of NYC actually carries their groceries any great distance anyways?

[mawilson 2,133]

And doesn't a paper bag weigh more than it's plastic counterpart? Seems like it would increase landfill usage.

Paper is biodegradable. Plastic is not.

[Dr_LHA 3]

And doesn't a paper bag weigh more than it's plastic counterpart? Seems like it would increase landfill usage.

Paper is biodegradable. Plastic is not.

Well, not quite true. You can make biodegradable plastic bags, but they cost more so most supermarkets won't use them. That's why legislation like this is necessary.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/2229698.stm

Edited March 28, 2007 by dr_lha

[Robor007 0]

And doesn't a paper bag weigh more than it's plastic counterpart? Seems like it would increase landfill usage.

Paper is biodegradable. Plastic is not.

I realize that but if it's going into a landfill does it matter? I read something a while back about 50 year old newspapers found in a landfill that were still readable. I guess paper will eventually break down but based on findings like that it appears it takes centuries rather than years or decades.

BTW, I'm not advocating the continued use of non-biodegradable plastic. Just not sure that switching to paper is the best alternative.

To those who don't have a recycling program that accepts grocery bags... Next time you're shopping check the front of your supermarket and you may see a bin for them. I know the local Publix and Albertsons has one.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

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?

From the above article....

The new rules would, however, allow recyclable plastic bags, which are not widely used today.

[StarProg 0]

I reuse the plastic and papers bags also. But after one reuse they usually go in the garbage. I wonder what would happen if they outlawed disposable bags completely, paper and plastic. Suppose the stores provided sturdy carrying bags, maybe for 10 cents each. The stores would perhaps save the cost of all the disposable bags, and customers would be likely to reuse the bags so they don't have to keep paying for the bags.

[Dr_LHA 3]

To those who don't have a recycling program that accepts grocery bags... Next time you're shopping check the front of your supermarket and you may see a bin for them. I know the local Publix and Albertsons has one.

Agreed, however its all about convience isn't it? If people can recycle at their homes, they're much more likely to.

[Alex+R 0]

I find plastic bags way more reusable because I can bring my lunch to work in them more easily. If a switch were made to recyclable plastic, I'd be down for that.

I still get paper bags anyway, mostly out of guilt. They sit in my cupboard unless my cat wants to play with one.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If plastic bags are outlawed, only outlaws will have plastic bags!!!!

[Alex+R 0]

If plastic bags are outlawed, only outlaws will have plastic bags!!!!

LOLing for realz

[Dr_LHA 3]

If plastic bags are outlawed, only outlaws will have plastic bags!!!!

Stolen off digg.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

If plastic bags are outlawed, only outlaws will have plastic bags!!!!

Stolen off digg.

Who is digg?

That's stolen off the NRA.