Ban the Bags!  

I say Bravo to the city of San Francisco! The environmental impact of plastic bags is far reaching, and I don' think 90% of users understand the environmental implications of these bags. I will always bring my own grocery bags to the supermarket, and most stores. I hate how some cashiers overuse plastic bags and I also can't stand how they cannot be recycles therefore limiting their lifespan to 2 uses at the very most.

thanks for posting this. great topic!

I have hated those plastic bags since the day I first laid eyes on them. I used to be a sacker for a grocery store right after graduating high school. I loved the sacks we used. They were sturdy. They were easier to get more stuff into. The plastic bags are so crummy. They don't hold much. They fall apart so easily. My family has so many plastic bags we collect for various reasons, but I still wish they would get rid of them. They are a nuisance, a bio-hazard, and deadly. I hope that the rest of the United States will follow suit with San Francisco and get rid of them.

That should be done here too. All our grocery bags are just plastic. I have never once encountered in my life to have paper bags to carry my purchases. And people know what it does but they or we never always act. Its in the back of our heads but no actions. And im glad someone and people have started it in a way in your city now.

It makes me feel guilty in a way because all my plastic bags are just stored and stored in my cabinet because i cant throw them away but i have used them as my garbage bags. Shouldnt i use something else for that too?:(

Finally, an idea from California that I actually agree with.

I used to love the paper bags that we used to get. They were sturdy and held a lot.

These plastic bags, even if they do survive the trip from the store, usually wind up with some kid of little holes in the bottom making them next to useless as a liner for the office trash can.

Paper bags will eventually break down, but plastic wont for a very long time.

So yes, I agree with this one.

California should not let this go to their head however, because I got my eye on them...

*jumps up and down and does happy dance* Yay for San Francisco! I so wish that this would become a national trend. As you so eloquently stated, the darn little things are inadequate and do not biodegrade! (I love the 'gift for the ages') If we would all put a few resuable totes into our gloveboxes or trunks and take them into the store, especially on those shopping trips where we buy only one or two items, the world would be a better place! Just doing that would save the use of millions of bags! Many argue that trees lose their life to make paper bags, but at least we can grow new trees! But again, if we would take our own totes, that seems to be a viable option!

Hey, wow. That is definitely a little light for our decade. It would be fantastic to see something like that taken up nationwide. The Ralph's in downtown San Diego used to offer a reusable bag to first time customers. They ended up having to discontinue it because people kept coming in and just getting more bags instead of reusing the ones they were given. Though, I did see a few being used for tote bags instead...

yes there should be ban on plastic bags

I completely agree with you, except for the fact that although I usually carry a cloth bag with me for unplanned shopping, sometimes I don't or it's not enough, and at those times I would certainly need something to carry what I bought .
I don't drive so I can't just balance everything in my arms until I reach my car. I have to use public transportation and it would be very difficult to do that :)
So although in principle I agree with you and applaud the city's decision, I am now thinking at the exceptions - how will they be dealt with.

How about "Recycle The Bags"? That's what Madison stores do- if you bring your own bag in, regardless of whether it is paper or plastic, you get a credit of 5 or ten cents from the store upon checkout. Whole Foods also has recycling drop-offs for those plastic bags.

I have been recycling my shopping bags for quite some time now, and a friend of mine recently showed me these cute vinyl tote bags that she brings to and from the market to carry her groceries in. I have been thinking about purchasing a few, at 99 cents they are a bargain! After reading this post, I think I am going to do my part and pick up a few of them!