MalloryKeaton

http://www.click2houston.com/money/4123489/detail.html

San Francisco May Charge For Grocery Bags
City To Consider 17-Cent Per Bag Charge

Posted: 9:52 am CST January 24, 2005
Updated: 10:04 am CST January 24, 2005

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco may become the first city in the nation to charge shoppers for grocery bags.

The city's environmental commission is expected to ask the mayor and board of supervisors Tuesday to consider a 17-cent per bag charge on paper and plastic grocery bags.

Their goal is to reduce plastic bag pollution. Environmentalists say plastic bags jam machinery, pollute waterways and often end up in trees.

Officials believe that the city spends 5.2 cents per bag annually for street litter pickup and 1.4 cents per bag for extra recycling costs.

In addition to large supermarkets, other outfits that regularly use plastic bags, including smaller grocery stores, dry cleaners and takeout restaurants, could eventually be targeted.

But grocers and bag manufacturers argue that many people already reuse their plastic bags.

Other opponents call the plan an unfair and regressive tax on shoppers.

Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

xallyx

That's a good idea. It'll probably encourage more people to bring/buy their own reusable bags.

Do they sell those at the supermarkets in the US?

Here in Aus. all the big supermarkets introduced these reusable bags in 2004 and plastic bag usage has been cut down by abt 25%. Plus everyone uses them for everything now...some people even use them as normal bags to carry around their stuff in. It's kind of a trend...everyone seems to have them now.

I think if you can steer people to using reusable bags, there'll be no need to charge for plastic bags...But you know, charging people for them might just be the key to making people stop using them and to look to another more enviromentally friendly alternative.


From www.cleanup.com.au

mh67511

I love those plastic bags! I use them in my garbage cans; don't have to waste money on garbage bags that way! So see, I'm helping the enviroment by cutting down on garbage bag usage. Plus they are much more convenient. Often times paper bags don't have handles and if they do, they may rip. For someone like me who doesn't have a car, I have to bring all my groceries home on the bus.
Are there really that many bags floating around the city?

What are they going to do, add $.17 to your bill for each bag? Now another thing for cashiers to worry about. Or if they just charge the store, how will they know how many bags were actually used. I usually swipe a few extra when they're not looking so I can double bag my items. If this goes through the bags might end up under lock and key and no more double bagging!

Lexis

I like the idea of introducing those sturdy resuable bags much more widely. Here you can get them but not always - they are stronger than those pathetic little plastic ones and obviously, have the environmental plus points.

Did you guys read about that report yesterday? About how the point of no return in relation to climate change will probably reached by 2010.

Very scary stuff.

Anabela

I'm surprised to see that paying for bags is something new in the USA.
Where I live, there are supermarkets that charge 2 cents for a plastic bag. That's why when I go there I bring my own bag. And a bag can be used a lot of times. That way, I've been saving money while helping the environment because we all know plastic bags aren't really good for our environment.

I also don't buy garbage bags because there are still supermarkets that give away plastic bags. Those are the ones I use on my garbage can.
I can see the point that if you use plastic bags as garbage bags, you're also helping the environment. But I don't have that problem because some supermarkets still give away plastic bags. Only, the supermarkets that charge for plastic bags are the cheaper supermarkets. And I always prefer to shop there because it's really cheap. The supermarkets that give plastic bags away are much more expensive. That's part of why they sell stuff so expensive: we have to pay for the bag one way or the other.

The thing is: plastic bags aren't there for everybody to grab. You have to buy a plastic bag like you buy milk or bread. And when you buy it, you have to pay for it.

I can't believe I just wrote a huge post about something as deep and meaningful as plastic bags.

- Jen -

I think its a good idea, its about time people start thinking about the environment...

but i think its a better idea to produce reusable bags...


I those bags, they carry so much more, and are more sturdy...

its hilarious how they are classed as trendy now, people dont use them just for grocery shopping, you see people carrying them everywhere...

xallyx

I know. It's kind of weird how it's suddenly become "cool" to have them.

Mio

Superstore here in Canada charges you 4 cents for the regular plastic bags and 8 cents for their biodegradable recyclable bags. We save ours so we can use them the next time.

Misguided Angel

There are already stores in the U.S. that charge for bags; some even charge for use of the shopping cart (Aldi's).

I think it's a great idea, too. I use the plastic bags for garbage bags, too, because there really is no other use for them. I'd rather not have my cabinents packed with the bags actually.

LittleMilkJug

I use them for garbage, you can tie the handles together and make a nice clean bundle to throw in the dumpster.

SuperDeluxe

Hrmm dunno how I feel about it. I do reuse my plastic bags..

But I can see if people use their own totes/bags for groceries, it might lessen the impact on the enviroment..streets.

*Lauren

Is there really a need to quote an entire post, when the post is essentitly saying "I don't like this"? Just say it without quoting, we all know what you're talking about.

mh67511

Actually they don't charge, you just have to put in a quarter to get your cart. It's a great idea too because when I go to WalMart and see a cart sitting in the middle of the parking lot I want to take it and shove it as hard as I can at the car of the LAZY ASS who couldn't put it in the gate! I love Aldis and it's too bad we don't have them here! The reason they charge for their bags though, is that they are a LOT nicer than these cheap plastic ones.

SuperDeluxe

Is there really a need to take me to task on the message board? If you have a problem with the way I post..PM me or something.

Lorna

I think this is a fantastic idea! I hope it spreads all over the world. I always re-use my bags -- we don't get charged but some supermarkets do give you 2p back when you re-use bags.

The amount of plastic that is produced and then thrown away every year is terrifying. Something does need to be done, and I hope this is the start of a change in attitude.