Back to the bags

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

No matter how many readers disagree with me, I still support the government banning or requiring retailers to charge for plastic bags. Call me a big government liberal or what have you, but I stand by it and I hope you have to pay ~~$0.25~~ $0.05 the next time you use one.

Here’s why:

Remember, real men use re-usable canvas bags when they shop. And real men bag their own groceries because the courtesy clerks these days are clueless.

Comments (28)

LindaAugust 19, 2010 at 6:18 pm

I read an article saying that the reusable bags are causing people to get sick because people are contaminating food since in one trip you may be carrying raw meat and then the next fruit. So for all of you out there, make sure to wash your bags after each trip!!!

spineflower2August 20, 2010 at 10:34 am

So anyone know what the cost in energy, water, and soapy wastewater processing for these “green” bags is?

Samuel AdamsAugust 19, 2010 at 7:13 pm

I use paper and believe in paper. We recycle them every time.

We The PeepsAugust 19, 2010 at 7:52 pm

I use plastic a few times a year to replenish my need for plastic bags to be used as a murse. Berta? Double bagger. Doh!

Berta González-HarperAugust 20, 2010 at 8:00 am

@We the Peeps, I hate to contradict but I have my own grocery bags, some for Costco, some for Trader Joe’s, some for Wal-Mart (their merry go round (?) does not work well with these) and some mesh ones for any other store. I keep them in my vehicle so always have them handy when I go shopping. I lived in Europe a few years and am accustomed to using my own bags. You really should not make assumptions about me. I am also the ultimate recycler and have been since I was just a kid. My household produces only a very small bag of trash every week. Other stuff is composted or recycled. How about you?

We The PeepsAugust 21, 2010 at 7:33 am

It was a reference to you, not your nag habits per se: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=double%20bagger&defid=1072014 Duh.

We The PeepsAugust 21, 2010 at 7:34 am

Meant “bag” habits, but that freudian slip typo works just fine as well.

Berta González-HarperAugust 21, 2010 at 10:32 am

@We the Peeps, just one more anonymous coward throwing out oblique insults while hiding behind yet another pseudonym. Hum, you sound just like Gangfang and Spineflower2. In the highly unlikely event I were forced to be in any bed with someone like you, I would make sure the double bag would suffocate ONE of us first. If an individual like you finds me unattractive, I perceive that as a complement so I thank you. Nevertheless, since you brought me into this conversation, I will respond that according to the values my parents instilled in me, I believe I am a person of integrity. I see myself as a persistent and steadfast person, refusing to be dissuaded from speaking out, regardless of any threats, insults, and other attempts to intimidate and silence me. I understand that makes insecure bullies uncomfortable. You are welcome to think I am a double bagger/nag or whatever.

lvogelAugust 19, 2010 at 8:19 pm

Just this morning I used my plastic bag (used to pick up trash I find on my walks) to pick up plastic bags (2) I found on my walk!

CCAugust 19, 2010 at 8:46 pm

I can’t use canvas bags for kitty litter waste or to pick up after my dog ;-(

NickelDimeAugust 20, 2010 at 5:53 am

Oh no, not this talk again. Dog poop bags are 4.4 cents apiece .

NateAugust 20, 2010 at 7:33 am

HAHA! First thing I thought! Sweet a rehash of the entitlement dog poop bag argument.

CCAugust 20, 2010 at 7:36 am

I haven’t seen that argument, but never the less, I recycle my plastic bags one way or the other but about half the time I use canvas. None of them find the trash without another purpose.

Whiskey Tango FoxtrotAugust 19, 2010 at 8:53 pm

Lets have everyone hold on to their 5c a bag and have the Lindsay Lohan’s of the world who get an early release from jail because of the “inhumane” crowding condititions clean up the plastic bags and other garbage off the streets. Or perhaps that would also be considered inhumane treatment. Ah never mind, lets just have another tax…. er, fee.

drive66August 19, 2010 at 9:55 pm

Didn’t they make us switch from paper to plastic to save the environment. Next canvas bags will be bad and we’ll be back to paper, or plastic or whatever. I’ll just ask for paper.

lvogelAugust 20, 2010 at 5:50 am

How do the plastic bags get recycled? They (most) have a triangle with a number on the bottom, so doesn’t that indicate they are recyclable? Because of that triangle, along with so many other plastic items, I put plastic bags in the recycling barrel. How ’bout those barrels in front of supermarkets that ask you to ‘recycle’ your bags there? What happens to those? I believe you’re right drive66; we were told that the plastic was better, though I believe the paper is better because it can decompose(sp) naturally.

Samuel AdamsAugust 20, 2010 at 6:01 am

I visited a recycling plant in Illinois two weeks ago for business. Never go there. It will take the wind out of all our sails. Sadly, if it is not paper, an awful lot gets thrown away anyway.

lvogelAugust 20, 2010 at 6:56 am

We have a recycling center here in the SCV, correct? I believe it’s off of SanFernando (oops, Newhall Ave). I’m think’n that a visit to that recycling center is in order. We need to know how and if our ‘recyclables’ are being recycled! Seriously, I take great pride in the fact that my recycling bin has more items then my regular trash; perhaps I’m not the environmental ‘wacko’ I thought I was?!

scvtruthsquadAugust 20, 2010 at 8:27 am

last week the trash company refused to pick up our recycling trash can becasue it “was too full”… oh brother

WalkerAugust 20, 2010 at 6:57 am

The plastic bags can be recycled, but need to be put in the boxes at the grocery store. They get caught up in the machines or fly away from the streamlined plants (what we have in the SCV). Personally, I don’t give much credit to the ‘sick from bacteria in the bag’ concerns. Granted, I’m not much of a germaphobe, but I’ve never heard of a single case of this. If it is a concern for you, though, it would simply be a matter of using the appropriate bag for the appropriate items. Set aside a bag as your ‘meats’ bag and use that only for meats.

LindaAugust 21, 2010 at 9:09 am

Here is the link and should be concerned about bacteria: http://www.aolnews.com/nation/article/study-reusable-bags-green-but-not-clean/19531079 In it, the study claims that half of the totes contained coliform bacteria, a sign of raw meat or uncooked food contamination, and 12 percent bore the dreaded E. coli bacteria that can cause serious food poisoning

WalkerAugust 21, 2010 at 4:09 pm

And notice, they don’t site a single case of illness. Personally, I’m not much of a germaphobe and I’ll take my chances. If you’re (generally speaking) concerned, wash your bags or have one dedicated meat bag. The recycled plastic bags (the shinier/sturdier ones that are easily wipeable) would make the perfect ‘meat bag. ‘

scvtruthsquadAugust 20, 2010 at 7:28 am

Great video, paper is much better than plastic, don’t get fooled to believe otherwise, wood is a crop like corn or wheat, it is grown on farms and harvested and can be 100% recylced can we say the same for computers, monitors and printers?

CCAugust 20, 2010 at 7:37 am

Frankly, I would prefer heftier fines for littering of all sorts.

Berta González-HarperAugust 20, 2010 at 8:03 am

Agreed.

lvogelAugust 20, 2010 at 11:54 am

agrred

lvogelAugust 20, 2010 at 11:55 am

um, AGREED

KellyAugust 20, 2010 at 9:25 am

I went on a “plastic bag diet” a few years ago, got tired of them accummulating like wire hangers from the dry cleaners. I have a nice selection of reusable bags and the check out clerks often thank me for using them. I also compost too, come from a family of recyclers and composters. Just dislike wastefullness and litter immensely.