A recent New York Times article talked about the ban on plastic bags at checkout counters that was proposed in Austin, TX. It's obvious that a ban would benefit the environment...who hasn't seen a plastic bag rolling down the street like tumble weed, floating down a river just waiting to entangle a fish, or fluttering in the breeze from its roost in a fence or a tree? The bags are harmful to land and aquatic animals that consume them, they litter the roadways and waterways, and not to mention they are composed of chemicals that don't biodegrade. But of course there will be a fair amount of people enraged and/or annoyed if a ban like this were to be enacted. Right?
It turns out that this isn't the first case. Many European countries have banned plastic bags offering paper bags for a fee instead. Other communities in the U.S. have enacted a plastic bag ban as well, and in the case of a small community in Texas, it's going rather well. As with everything, it takes a while to transition but easy once you get accustomed to the change.
Plastic bags are a little out of control in my opinion. On those rare occasions when I forget my cloth bags and my groceries get bagged at the supermarket, two bags worth of groceries somehow magically multiplies into 10 plastic bags! I try to head off the bagger and say that they can be packed full to try to minimize the amount of bags s/he uses. Even when I
am buying one or few items at a store, I make sure I tell the cashier
immediately that I don't need a bag since it's their habit--and job--to put items in a plastic bag. On one occasion, I was buying one item and the cashier immediately put it in a plastic bag after scanning it (before I even had a chance to say 'hello'). I said that I didn't need a bag and she took my item out and threw the bag in the trash! This is an extreme example, but I think we need to start reducing our plastic bag "obsession." Of course plastic bags do have their purpose, but certainly aren't necessary all the time.
For over the last ten years or so, I would say that 99% of the natural foods stores that I have gone to (and I have lived in New York, Colorado, Hawaii, Arizona, Florida, and Vermont) give you a five cent refund per cloth or reusable bag you bring in. Up until a couple of years ago, I would get funny looks from the cashiers and baggers when I pulled out my cloth bags when asked the question 'paper or plastic?' at a supermarket. Today it's a totally different scene. Reusable bags, some even with trendy designs, are being sold in stores. There are even signs outside supermarkets reminding you to bring in your reusable bags. This is definitely a step in the right direction.
Since the reusable bag movement is becoming more mainstream, I think it's a good time to start weaning us off plastic bags. Not only are the bags themselves harmful to the environment, but think about all the water and energy it takes to produce those bags and then to distribute them. 'Aren't they recyclable?' you may be asking. Recycling consumes a lot of water and energy, too and is sometimes not as "green" as people think. In this case, it's better to use reusable/cloth bags. They can last for years and you only need to wash them every now and then which uses a significantly less amount of water and energy than getting plastic bags every time you go to the store.
You also may be thinking, 'what about paper bags? They're much better than plastic bags.' Of course paper is a much better choice than plastic--they are more readily recyclable and biodegradable--and they're a good transition to the plastic bag ban. However, they are made from trees that need to stay in the ground and not be cut down. Not only that, but they use a lot of water and energy to produce, distribute, and to recycle...even if they are made from pre- or post-consumer recycled paper.
I like the idea of a fee for plastic and/or paper bags, at about 10-25 cents per bag. This will incentivize most people to start bringing their own bags, thus reducing the total amount of plastic bags produced. Maybe then plastic bags will become an endangered species.
