California poised to ban plastic bags

[dejr_8]

I like that stores will be able to charge 5 cents a paper bag. What a joke.

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37514616/ns/us_news-environment/

California is poised to become the first state in the nation to ban plastic shopping bags, a move hailed by environmentalists and grocers alike.

The state Senate approved the ban on Friday, sending it to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office for his signature.

Schwarzenegger praised the bill's passage, calling it "a great victory for our environment."

The California Assembly passed the legislation on Wednesday, and, if signed into law, it would prohibit pharmacies, grocery, liquor and convenience stores from giving out plastic bags and require alternative retainers for goods.

Stores would be required to sell paper bags for at least 5 cents each. The ultimate goal is for consumers to buy reusable bags that cost about $1 each.

"Under this bill, if shoppers forget their reusable bags, they will be able to purchase a recycled paper bag made of 40 percent post-consumer material for a reasonable cost," Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, D-Santa Monica, told NBC affiliate KNTV.

Other towns and cities across the U.S. have already placed restrictions on plastic bags, including an outright ban in larger retail stores by three counties in North Carolina's Outer Banks. About 20 other California cities are considering similar laws.

Plastics bags are not biodegradable, meaning they stay for a long time in landfills and oceans. The goal is to reduce their accumulation, but there are those who argue some can't afford to pay for paper bags.

In 2007, Annapolis, Md., was the first U.S. city to propose a total ban on plastic checkout bags when then-Alderman Sam Shropshire waged a campaign against them. While Maryland's bag campaign failed, it fueled efforts in other cities.

“We hope California can show other states that this is doable. We think this bill can be a model for other states to follow,” Gina Goodhill told the San Diego Tribune. She specializes in oceans for the Los Angeles-based Environment California.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I don't get it. What's the problem with it? Including charging 5 cents for the paper bag?

 

[themilesfamily]

I think it's a good idea.

 

[Imzadi]

Do they not remember the days before plastic when brown paper bags were given to shoppers for FREE to carry away their items?

This is becoming like the airlines, nickle and diming us, LITERALLY for each and every thing. Next, if you want REAL oxygen as you shop or fly, you can rent a canister for $5/hour.

 

[minnie56]

We have to pay 5 cents for our plastics bags here. Most of us are readily using our own bigger bags that we can carry out our groceries in. I understand in the U.K where they have been doing this for ages too..that many places donate the money they receive for the bags to charity. That's a good thing.

 

[dejr_8]

Do they not remember the days before plastic when brown paper bags were given to shoppers for FREE to carry away their items?

This is becoming like the airlines, nickle and diming us, LITERALLY for each and every thing. Next, if you want REAL oxygen as you shop or fly, you can rent a canister for $5/hour.

Exactly!!!

 

[Hillbeans]

I see no problem with this, good for California. I am not a treehugger but I think those plastic bags are very wasteful, some cashiers throw one thing in a bag.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I have my reusable bags that I TRY to take with me, but honestly, I don't mind paying for my bags if I forget them.

 

[cats mom]

Do they not remember the days before plastic when brown paper bags were given to shoppers for FREE to carry away their items?

This is becoming like the airlines, nickle and diming us, LITERALLY for each and every thing. Next, if you want REAL oxygen as you shop or fly, you can rent a canister for $5/hour.

Yep, if the goal is to discourage the use of plastic bags, then charge for the plasic bags, but continue to provide paper bags free of charge.

I do have reusable bags for groceries, but I also get some stuff in paper bags so I can use them for recyclables. I guess I'll have to find somewhere to buy paper bags in bulk, since I'm sure that will be cheaper than paying 5¢ each for them so I can recycle.

 

[Imzadi]

Yep, if the goal is to discourage the use of plastic bags, then charge for the plastic bags, but continue to provide paper bags free of charge.

I do have reusable bags for groceries, but I also get some stuff in paper bags so I can use them for recyclables. I guess I'll have to find somewhere to buy paper bags in bulk, since I'm sure that will be cheaper than paying 5¢ each for them so I can recycle.

I use the plastic bags for kitty litter. So I do recycle them.

Also, when I'm buying a bag full of frozen foods, the condensation makes paper bags all soggy before I get home. This happens particularly at Trader Joe's. They act like I'm committing a major crime by asking for plastic bags. I have to remind them of the condensation each time.

I wouldn't mind paying 5¢ for bio-degradable plastic bags. Retailers should just switch to those.

 

[Rora]

I don't want to be charged 5 cents for a bag that I keep and recycle. Either provide the reusable cloth bags or make bio-degradable bags.

 

[dejr_8]

Also, when I'm buying a bag full of frozen foods, the condensation makes paper bags all soggy before I get home. This happens particularly at Trader Joe's. They act like I'm committing a major crime by asking for plastic bags. I have to remind them of the condensation each time.

I see lawsuits in the future. Some heavy item falls through a paper bag that is soaked from condensation and breaks someone's toe/foot - Then they can sue the supermarket.

 

[TheZue]

Our grocery store doesn't even have plastic bags anymore. It's really not all that bad.

 

[Imzadi]

I don't want to be charged 5 cents for a bag that I keep and recycle. Either provide the reusable cloth bags or make bio-degradable bags.

The problem with reusable CLOTH bags is that they eventually fall apart or wear through. Then THEY end up clogging landfills. That's why people embraced plastic bags over buying a new $2 cloth bag that would also fall apart.

Recycling is not a new concept. I remember back in the early 1980's when "recycling" all first came about. They recently changed the name to "being green" as there were a lot of problems with recycling - like cloth bags falling apart & filling up landfills.

Do you (general you) know how MANY cloth bags are STILL in landfills from the first time? How many excess bags people had because they forgot to bring their bags in and had to buy a NEW one? Some people had PILES of 10 - 20 cloth bags, that eventually got tossed into landfills.

It's amazing they are using the same old concepts without coming up with better solutions to the old problems that occurred during the first round of "recycling."

 

[LisaR]

Do they not remember the days before plastic when brown paper bags were given to shoppers for FREE to carry away their items?

This is becoming like the airlines, nickle and diming us, LITERALLY for each and every thing. Next, if you want REAL oxygen as you shop or fly, you can rent a canister for $5/hour.

I don't see it that way at all. The difference is that with the airlines, you don't really have a choice. Driving, trains and boats are really not options for many people. If you want to get someone far away in a short period of time, a plane is the only way. The airlines know this and they nickel and dime us.

When it comes to bags, there are easy, inexpensive options. Reuse those .5 cent paper bags, bring your own reusable bags, reuse the plastic bags that you are currently getting, bring your old pillowcases with you, , etc. You don't HAVE to pay .5 cents for every bag because there are plenty of options - unlike with flying.

 

[Becky2005]

I just want to know what the difference is between the plastic shopping bags & the plastic garbage bags -- will they still sell those? Are they made of different plastic?

I really am curious because I don't see the difference -- especially for those that end up using the plastic bags from grocery stores as garbage bags (i.e. the kitty litter example, or people who use them in their cars as trashbags).

So if there is a difference in the plastics, why not just make the plastic bags that people use for groceries out of the same plastic made for garbage bags.

I'm assuming CA isn't outlawing plastic trashbags.

 

[dejr_8]

I just want to know what the difference is between the plastic shopping bags & the plastic garbage bags -- will they still sell those? Are they made of different plastic?

I really am curious because I don't see the difference -- especially for those that end up using the plastic bags from grocery stores as garbage bags (i.e. the kitty litter example, or people who use them in their cars as trashbags).

So if there is a difference in the plastics, why not just make the plastic bags that people use for groceries out of the same plastic made for garbage bags if there is a difference.

I'm assuming CA isn't outlawing plastic trashbags.

Or how about plastic sandwich baggies? Bread wrappers?

 

[Imzadi]

I see lawsuits in the future. Some heavy item falls through a paper bag that is soaked from condensation and breaks someone's toe/foot - Then they can sue the supermarket.

Yes, when I mention the condensation, they then double brown bag my stuff. Like that's good for the environment?


I bought a 20 lb bag of cat food last week. The clerk asked me if I wanted a bag. I told him, "Yes. The cat food bag doesn't have a handle, I can't carry it."

The manager, who was standing next to him, piped up, "Oh, well, we ask now, because so many people say they don't want a bag at all." He was saying this while the dumb clerk got out a second to put in the 3 cans of cat food I also bought, instead of simply putting them in the same bag as the dry cat food.

When I said, "You can just put the cans in the same bag," the nitwit clerk looked at me like I was the one causing problems with bags, like the manager said.

How about hiring clerks who can think and discern when to give out a bag and how many are appropriate?

 

[maxiesmom]

I just want to know what the difference is between the plastic shopping bags & the plastic garbage bags -- will they still sell those? Are they made of different plastic?

I really am curious because I don't see the difference -- especially for those that end up using the plastic bags from grocery stores as garbage bags (i.e. the kitty litter example, or people who use them in their cars as trashbags).

So if there is a difference in the plastics, why not just make the plastic bags that people use for groceries out of the same plastic made for garbage bags if there is a difference.

I'm assuming CA isn't outlawing plastic trashbags.

They need to start somewhere, and grocery bags are a great place to start! It is something easy that can make a big difference.

I've been using my own bags now. I got mine at Kohls, and they are quite big and very sturdy. If all of us just took baby steps towards recycling, it would make a huge impact.

I think it is pretty horrific how we give so little thought as to what happens to our stuff after we are done using it.

 

[mhsjax]

The problem with reusable CLOTH bags is that they eventually fall apart or wear through. Then THEY end up clogging landfills. That's why people embraced plastic bags over buying a new $2 cloth bag that would also fall apart.

Recycling is not a new concept. I remember back in the early 1980's when "recycling" all first came about. They recently changed the name to "being green" as there were a lot of problems with recycling - like cloth bags falling apart & filling up landfills.

Do you (general you) know how MANY cloth bags are STILL in landfills from the first time? How many excess bags people had because they forgot to bring their bags in and had to buy a NEW one? Some people had PILES of 10 - 20 cloth bags, that eventually got tossed into landfills.

It's amazing they are using the same old concepts without coming up with better solutions to the old problems that occurred during the first round of "recycling."

Not to mention, they are now saying that you need to wash the bags. Raw meat and everything else goes in there and can contaminate food. No thanks. I will keep my plastic bags or paper bags. I am sorry, but leave it to CA to come up with this.