How often do you hear that question?
It's a seemingly simple question, with 2 choices...and profound implications. Depending on what you need them for at home, one choice may be preferred over another.
The choice USED to be bag (paper) or no bag.
And it is becoming that choice again in some places.
San Francisco already has a ban city-wide that restricts plastic bag availability. So do Oakland and Malibu. And I understand that Santa Monica (near LA) is also considering it as well.
And now the options around plastic and paper are being bantered about in ENCINITAS, California (next door to Carlsbad).
Read Paper vs. Plastic - The Shopping Bag Debate for more information on the pros and cons.
The Coast News covered this issue with regard to the pending proposal in Encinitas.
Some support the notion of an outright ban of plastic with fee for paper (so folks might bring their own bags), but more are in favor of a phase in, whereby stores would begin by charging a fee for plastic, with the money used for education, and ultimately eliminating the single-use point-of-sale plastic bags.
Personally I think using your own bags is the best option, and recycling the paper ones being another viable choice. I often don't get a bag at all unless I have a lot to carry, which is rare.
We use Envirosax, which are strong, hold a ton of stuff, easy to carry, and fold up for easy storage. We keep them in the car so they are always ready for use.
My wife says she gets comments on them EVERY TIME. They are great for the environment and very functional. One of the best Christmas gifts we received (from our older LA daughter!).
I suspect there will be many more communities pushing for a shift in plastic bags; perhaps there are already some in YOUR area. One of our issues is that many end up in the ocean and lagoons creating major problems for marine life.
So consider re-using bags, using only paper, not using a bag unless you REALLY need to (I applaud those stores that ASK if you need a bag) or try out the Envirosax. What a great gift idea. And they are adding a corporate label so folks could personalize. MUCH better than a calendar or refrigerator magnet, don;t you think?
NOTE: Credit for this post goes to friend and AR member Kathy McGraw, who took a moment out of her busy life to email me about the proposal she read about in the San Diego Union Tribune. I had heard a little about it but her email was the inspiration to talk about it. What a good friend! And a terrific blogger herself!
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Jeff-I am so glad you wrote about this important issue. When I lived overseas we couldn't even get plastic bags, or any other ones for that matter....we had to bring our own. I have been down by the waterways in Encinitas and Carlsbad, Cardiff, all those towns and see the effects on the environment from discarded bags. I hate it when the Pelicans get stuck in trash :(
Thank you for writing about this important issue.....after the initial reactions and inconvience to some it will hopefully be a win-win for everyone. Nice job, and see you were the one to write it :)
Thanks again, Kathy, for YOUR inspiration. I haven't taken plastic bags for sometime now and I don't see this as a big deal to shift away from the them to paper and resuable bags. And I do see more and more folks not using bags, or bringing their own to the stores.
Jeff
Jeff,
I have to go with both but then again ..I'm not sure...it depends on the use I'm looking for.:)
Jeff, I remember the '70s when Encinitas was an enclave for Hippies. I know that most of them are still there. This is just more proof.
Bill Roberts
Jeff ~ I love reusing bags for shopping, but have to train myself to remember them. My truck has a ton of them, but it never fails, I enter the store without them! Is there a secret to remembering?
kk
i thought the pic was a bib with first aid attachments..:-(.....well envirobags......hmmm could idea......I haven't trained myself yet......but I should - the plastic is ridiculous not to mention that here they charge 4Cents a bag!
That's right Jeff - the answer is NEITHER. I have a set of Envirosax too.
I advise getting a set because you are more likely to have one or more with you when you find yourself in a store. Plus, since they roll up and snap into a compact little package they are easy to tuck into a briefcase or somewhere in the car.
We try to bring our own bags to the grocery store. Sometimes stores seem offended when you say "no bag" (particularly in a mall) because those bags are walking advertisements for them. If we do have to use a store bag, we always reuse or recycle it. It takes some getting used to...but it's worth it!
Jeff I don't know of any communities around here that have band plastic or that are even thinking of doing it, but my people and businesses are doing it on their own. Many of the super markets around here for example sell really nice re-usable bags that cost less than a dollar. My wife has bought several and that is how she now bags our groceries.
I like to bring my own, but I do reuse the plastic ones when I walk Willie the hyperactive Labradoodle puppy. I'd miss them if they totally baned them here.
Great post, I think it is great that we are being pushed to a more ecologically responsible mindset. I live in Carlsbad I would be all for us doing the same. I also shop at Costco and Trader Joes, I have never received plastic bags at these stores, and I always seem to get my groceries home. :D
Here is a post about Ikea getting rid of plastic and paper bags in their US locations.... if all do just a little it can it mean a lot.
http://www.greenbang.com/5504/ikea-bins-plastic-bags/
Bridget
I think someone should start their own personal business of making and selling the cloth bags. I personally haven't jumped on the cloth bandwagon yet, since I don't want to carry them around or guess at how many I'll need, and I need them to clean my cat litter box =P However, I did recently buy some fabric, and plan to make myself a bag for when I only need a few items. I don't like the ones the stores are offering.