Austin’s Plastic Bag Ban Worse for Environment Than Bags It Outlaws (TX)

Cybercast News Service ^ | June 15, 2015 | 4:10 PM EDT | Emily Richards

[Olog-hai]

In an effort to protect the environment, Austin,Texas passed an ordinance banning single-use plastic bags in 2013.

However, a recent review concludes that Austin’s bag ban has backfired, creating more negative effects on the environment than the plastic bags it outlawed. […]

Two years after the bag ban was implemented, the city asked the Austin Resource Recovery group to investigate its effectiveness. Their June 10 report, written by Aaron Waters, states that while the ban was successful in lowering the amount of single-use plastic bags made from high-density polyethylene in city landfills, it was actually worse for the environment overall.

“The amount of single use plastic bags has been reduced, both in count and by weight,” Waters states. “However, in their place, the larger 4 mil [⁴⁄1,000 of an inch] bags have replaced them as the go to standard when the reusable bag is left at home. This reusable plastic bag, along with the paper bag, has a very high carbon footprint compared to the single use bag.” …

[mom of young patriots]

Oh, I hear ya. I am in the same situation. This city is like a boat overloaded with dimwitted liberals and it is sinking under the weight.

I am surrounded by mind numbed fools sneering at me all the time when I purchase those hedonistic plastic bags to tote my groceries home in. They can still be purchased in Austin, though one must endure thunderous frowns.

I feel sick when I have to give one dime or even a penny to the tithing plate for the Church of Ecotheology. This “sin tax” is an insidious evil.

So is expecting me to bring my own cloth bags. I have had plenty of people, including some so called conservatives, chide me for griping about the bring your own bag rules saying that it is not much of a hardship to endure. That isn’t the point. These folks don’t realize that if you give in at all you are conceding the Leftists’ false premise and they have won. Emboldened by that victory they will move swiftly to their next freedom grab.