San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom signed an ordinance on April 20, 2007 that makes the city the first in the nation to outlaw the use of plastic grocery bags.
The ordinance requires large supermarkets in San Francisco to stop using plastic bags within six months (end of September this year). Chain pharmacies will have until next year to make the change.
Critics say the ordinance will lead to more trees being cut down and result in higher costs being sent on to consumers. I say that they should get with the program and everyone should be encouraged to bring their own grocery bags. I have been carrying two large bags I bought at Ikea in the trunk of my car, and then when I need to go grocery shopping I bring them in.
Initially it’s hard to remember to put the bags back in the car, but now that it’s becoming a habit…..it’s not difficult. This is such a small gesture with huge impact; based on information from Worldwatch Institute it takes 430,000 gallons of oil to produce 100 millions non-degradable plastic bags. These bags waste oil, fill landfills and threaten wildlife…….
Kudos to SF and I’d like to see MN get with the program. I’m a small business owner and we don’t use plastic bags, so the argument about this change hurting small businesses is a bunch of bunk, I think that excuse is thrown around too much.
Would you be able to make a small gesture and stop using those plastic bags?
MPR’s Nikki Tundel covered this topic back in May 06: Paper or Plastic?
Trivia: Plastic bags were introduced in 1977 and now account for 4 out of every 5 bags handed out at grocery stores (what did we do before 1977?!).
Kat Eldred, MinnesotaPublic Radio Duluth LifeHost
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Comments: 11
what do you pick up dog poop with when walking? how do you carry those messy plumbing parts down to the hardware store? Put your kids wet clothes in? Carry your lunch to work? Give your co-workers cucumbers from the garden?
But it also takes more energy and water to make a paper bag.
And, since more and more people are tired of the left wing bias of the local papers, no one gets the paper anymore.
I have this wonderful, huge, washable tote bag I purchased years ago at a market. Turns out the store stopped selling them since no one was interested.
Okay, so plastic grocery bags are out the window... what about the plastic produce and bulk-bin food bags?
Kitchen garbage OK to stay plastic? What should I use to throw cat poop away from the litter box?
Another good option is the folding canvas wheeled shopping carts that are about the size of a laptop when folded but open up to carry a good day's shopping.
If you plant to really buy a lot, carry our folding canvas cart in your string bag and use both!
And if stores can stop paying for all those bags, the price of food will not rise so fast.
A total win situation, I think.