Today as I was "enjoying" the benefits of forced envirnmentalism, I watched as my bagger, a gentleman with Down's Syndrome, struggled to bag my things and accidentally rip the paper bag. I harbored no anger toward the bagger (who, it should be emphasized, was at work early on New Year's Day...kudos to him) but I wished some local bureaucrat had to witness this sad result of "saving the planet."
As I paid and walked away, I commented to this gentleman "boy, they're making your job harder with those paper bags."
He replied "yea...I hate them."
I responded: "So do I."
Austin did this years ago. There was denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance... followed by a general revolt, and some business have gone back to offering bags because a great many people said, “fine, I’ll shop elsewhere”.
Enjoy the irritation for the next few years, at a minimum.
Seems to me that the Market Basket stores have bent over backward to find a job for everyone.
The paper bags were roomier and about half had those cord handles so they weren't really difficult to carry and the ONLY advantage plastic has over paper is on a rainy day.
Modern Americans, for the most part shop where they ride to, whether car or public transportation and ALL supermarkets have buggys so gettin' your stuff (remember George Carlin) out to the car and into it is not a chore nor dangerous to the paper bag.
No, doing away with plastic will shut a LOT of greeny weeny mouths.
Stores can provide plastic on rain days and paper all the rest.
I remember when paper bags were evil.
These are the same plastic type bags we were shamed into using many years ago by the same environmental whack-o’s claiming we were deforesting the planet by using paper bags.
I recall the argument about replenishable trees to make biodegradable paper products versus non biodegradable plastic, but the Tree Huggers just knew so much better than anyone with common sense, and of course the mainstay of the support for the Democrats has always leaned environmentalist, and I mean whack-o environmentalist, therefore laws were made.
Paper bags with no handles are difficult to carry and load into your car.
Paper bags with handles certainly cost more than plastic.
Paper bags take up more space in your dumpster.
Paper bags are not waterproof, so spills spread.
Paper bags are not fire-proof.
Plastic bags have lots of uses before being thrown away.
Greenies will soon be protesting about all the trees that are being sacrificed to produce paper bags.
I thought Lowell died and went to hell when the mills all moved south to breathe free air
I just bring a kangaroo with me to the grocery store.
“Just put the groceries in the pouch. Just hand her the ice cream, though.”
The problem is people, not the bags. Near my supermarket, you can see plastic bags floating in the air and hanging from trees, blown about by the wind. The problem is people who let the bags go and don’t dispose of them properly.
After this ban goes into effect, they will be targeting something else. They are never satisfied. There’s always something else that’s demonized.
Straws. Bags. Cup lids. Plastic water bottles. Single use anything. Give them time, they’ll ban it.
Just what I want to see are the dirty, filthy reusable bags being dragged across the check stand contaminating it with God knows what.
I have seen very few clean reusable bags. Most of what I see are stained and soiled. Yuck!!
By my own choice, I have a bunch of Trader Joe’s canvas bags and totes in the car and love to use them. But that’s just it — it’s my own choice. I also recycle bread bags and other plastic bags I get that aren’t used for trash.
They may start out with decent bags. Then they will get cheaper and cheaper. Always happens.
This is simply the left EXERTING CONTROL over people. No different than when force girls and women to allow perverts in bathrooms and showers, and label you as HATE-FILLED if you have a problem with it.
Buy bags? Greed on greed...
But don’t stop there!
They should put the shopping cart in coin operated cart dispensers...Charge 25 cents for a cart! And how about charging another 25 cents to park in the market parking lot!
I would imagine one disadvantage of reusable bags over single use plastic bags are germs.
I would be interesting to have a lab do an analysis of both bags and report the results.
My sister lives in MA and she has to buy her garbage bags special at the store. Failure to use these specific garbage bags results in fines and fees.
Is that your area too ?
God i hate that stupid state.
Always liked paper. As long as they’re well packed, you can line several across the back seat and they’ll stay in place. Stuff in plastic bags wants to roll out.
Also happening - sort of - in Somers Point New Jersey, near Atlantic City - not a ban exactly, but stores are required to charge five cents for each plastic bag used - and they get to keep the five cents - supposed to discourage shoppers from using plastic, but really only extra income for the shops......
In Vail and Avon, Colorado, they will give you a paper bag but only if you pay 10 cents each for them. The paper bags are the old style that are very difficult to carry b/c they have no handles (I am so angry when I realize I have forgotten to bring bags!). I went to the WalMart in Avon yesterday and they were completely out of bags. People were driving their carts out to the parking lot and loading everything into their cars individually. I feel badly b/c I had brought my own bags...