Posted on 03/28/2007 11:25:29 AM PDT by presidio9
THERE IS a better way to pack groceries than with those flimsy plastic bags that rip so easily on the way home, then pile up in the pantry until you get irritated enough to return them to the store or toss them in the garbage.
And the answer is not those old-school paper bags that are such a waste of resource for one-time use.
San Francisco's Board of Supervisors is expected to vote today on legislation that would require the city's 54 largest grocery stores and chain pharmacies to use only compostable or recyclable bags.
The California Grocers Association has put up a vigorous resistance to the regulation, arguing that it would be confusing and costly for consumers. The grocers have been threatening to go back to paper bags if the ordinance passes.
But after hearing the arguments of both sides, it seems to us far more likely that consumers will be demanding the compostable bags once they learn of their advantages over the petroleum-based "throwaway" plastic bags.
Among the superior attributes of the biodegradable bags, which are typically made of starches from potatoes and corn:
-- They're stronger. "The days of double-bagging your loaf of bread would be over," said Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, author of the compostable bag ordinance.
-- They can go straight into the green recycling bin. They would be clearly marked as biodegradable.
-- They're versatile. Today, far too much food waste heads to the landfill because of what some recycling advocates call the "ick factor." With a biodegradable bag, you could scoop the food scraps into the bag, then, quickly and neatly, plunk it all into the green bin.
-- They're environmentally friendly. Plastic bags are a huge nuisance: they pose a threat to marine life, they gum up recycling machines and they consume landfill
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I'm just surprised they haven't mandated using reusable bags made from hemp.
We're all doomed!
If I was CEO of safeway I would close all the unprofitable stores in SF.
The morons are winning!
The morons are winning!
The morons are winning!
Common sense is no longer a viable option.
Who double bags a loaf of bread? I would talk about Ross further, but it turns out that if I use the word 'faggot' I will have to go to therapy.
I've double bagged a gallon of milk, a couple of two liters of soda, cans of tomato sauce and vegetables, heck, I've even double bagged a half gallon of ice cream before. But I've never double bagged a loaf of bread.
I think Supervisor Mirkarimi has never double bagged a loaf of bread before either. I suspect he doesn't do much of his own shopping at all.
In Zimbabwe and other African countries, women carry groceries home on their heads in baskets they wove at home.
Guess those liberal scholars who took underwater basket weaving will get to put their skills to use.
Is "bag lady" appropriate?
You are not going to believe this but as soon as I saw the headline, I thought, HEMP BAGS!
I use the plastic bags to pick up my puppy's poop and for the cat box. I will happily pop those into a box and ship them off to Gavin.
As long as he isn't too busy buggering one of his friend's wives!
I believe that health officials strongly recommend that Supervisor Mirkirami "double bags" before he engages in his favorite extracurricular activity.
"Guess those liberal scholars who took underwater basket weaving will get to put their skills to use."
I guess its finally Tolerance Seagull's time to shine!
(Please insert a photo of a dirty female hippie here)
I have been told that America is the only country that provides any kind of bag to grocery shoppers. Sounds likely.
Next thing you know they'll be recommending "T-Bagging" only.
I've started taking a pair of canvas shopping bags to the store with me. In the greater scheme of things, it isn't necessary environmentally, but it also is easy to do.
Best of all, these "Trader Joe" canvas totes don't tear open under the strain.
If these are so wonderful then why do people (and store owners) have to be bullied into using them? Why aren't these already being used far and wide across the fruited plains?
About 15 years ago I worked for a Co. here in TN that handled medical insurance transactions electronically. I was contacted by a department of the city regarding purchasing our services for this particular unit. I sent them a contract, and they sent me a set of documents and told me that our company had to be certified by the city in order to provide services. it had all kind of provisions such as that we met certain racial and sex quotas of employees as well as a bunch of other nonsense. I called them back and told them no thanks, that we wouldn't comply. They were shocked and indignant that we would refuse.
They said "but, we need this service, and in order for us to get it from you, you must be approved by the City". I told them that they would have to change their policy then (it wasn't much business, so we didn't care).
It was a really funny episode. They just couldnt understand why we weren't eager to change our complete company operations to suit their ideals in order to do a little business with them.
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