The disposable plastic bag is still king in the U.S.
Well, even among all of the fuss over stores like Whole Foods ending their use of disposable plastic shopping bags and all of the great reusable bag options out there, Christine Kearney of Reuters spells out the truth for us: the plastic bag is still king in the U.S.
Australia and China are phasing them out, Germany and Ireland tax them, but here in the U.S., let's be real. Go to an average supermarket and you'll probably see folks pushing their goods out in at least a dozen of 'em.
We use 100 billion plastic bags a year according to Worldwatch Institute and most are thrown away. Plastic bag are made from crude oil and clog drains, fill landfills and choke wildlife, while hanging around for 400 to 1,000 years before degrading.
So what can be done? Ban them, tax them, free reusable bags for everyone? Will reducing our use of the plastic bag be done voluntarily here in the U.S., or do we need government invention? Vote and tell us what you think in the comments!
Australia and China are phasing them out, Germany and Ireland tax them, but here in the U.S., let's be real. Go to an average supermarket and you'll probably see folks pushing their goods out in at least a dozen of 'em.
We use 100 billion plastic bags a year according to Worldwatch Institute and most are thrown away. Plastic bag are made from crude oil and clog drains, fill landfills and choke wildlife, while hanging around for 400 to 1,000 years before degrading.
So what can be done? Ban them, tax them, free reusable bags for everyone? Will reducing our use of the plastic bag be done voluntarily here in the U.S., or do we need government invention? Vote and tell us what you think in the comments!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2008 @ 3:25PM
Jillian said...
Why not require that supermarkets charge a fee for each disposable bag used by a customer, this occurs at a grocery store near where I live. Or give a small discount to customers who use recycled bags.
Reply
1-24-2008 @ 5:38PM
Bag Monster said...
So I take it you don't like single-use bags? What a bunch of Bag Monster Busters! There's a blog for people who want to be entertained and informed about the bag crisis: http://www.BagMonsterBusters.com
Nobody seems to want us around anymore... It's hard being a Bag Monster in the Age of Bag Bans! I can't even get a job because of convenient reusable ChicoBags.
For a good laugh (at my expense), and the latest info on Bag Bans with an entertaining twist, go to my blog: http://www.BagMonster.com
Reply
1-26-2008 @ 8:16AM
Mat said...
Why is there always only one answer or choice - why can't it be a little of everything? I mean personally I've been using canvas bags for a long time, but I also agree that it becomes impractical sometimes if you're doing big purchases. At the same time, I do wish we'd get rid of the plastic (they always suck anyway). I think...
1. The government should provide a few canvas/reusables to everyone
2. Shoppers should have to pay to get non-reusable paper bags
3. There should be a ban on plastic (which should extend to garbage bags as well)
Reply
1-26-2008 @ 8:16AM
DTWD said...
Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew!
Reply
1-31-2008 @ 6:13PM
UrbanFrugal said...
If people were forced to pay extra to get a bag then it would make a difference. Otherwise, offering a small incentive to those who do bring a reusable bag isn't enough. Personally I like not having extra plastic bags that seem to multiply in my home.
Even if people brought in their own plastic bags and reused them that would help. Plastic bags are a problem but they can be reused and repurposed for something other than groceries before it is time to recycle them.
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