Paper or canvas? Banning plastic bags

Salam all

Here in the U.S. we're all familiar with the question presented by the check-out clerk: Paper or Plastic? Hopefully in the near future the use of plastic bags will be phased out and the choice will be: Paper or Canvas?

Plastic (including plastic bags)is more prevalent in our oceans than plankton. Plastic bags choke and kill marine wildlife. They not only clutter our oceans but our streets as well.

China, Australia and countries in Africa and Europe have curbed the use plastic bags by imposing fees for using the bags or banning the bags entirely. The U.S. however is sadly behind the times in implementing a nation wide ban on plastic bags. Individual cities have bans in effect but there is no one state that has a ban implemented.

California was close to passing a bill that would ban plastic shopping bags and charge a fee for the use of paper bags, but due to low votes and last minute lobbying the bill failed.

Many stores have promotions that give the bags away or sell them for a low price. Some stores like Target refund 5 cents off your shopping bill each time a customer uses a canvas bag.

As individuals we can reduce pollution in our oceans and trash in our streets by using cloth or canvas bags when shopping.


N.B.



http://www.greenchange.org/article.php?id=3870

http://whichcountrieshavebannedplasticbags.blogspot.com/

http://healthebay.org/news/2010/09_01_AB1998/default.asp

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/10/20/target-cvs-launch-reusable-bag-incentive-programs/

Easiest would be the European solution: Charge customers 10 cent per bag. That's enough to get people to bring their own bags.

When I was living in Spain, I found that in virtually all the supermarkets, they charged like 10-20 cents per bag...and we had to bag it ourselves. It did not discourage me from buying their bags.

If you want to really make people bring their own bags...you're going to have to raise the price or inconvenience of using plastic bags...or give some rewards. The sting is not enough - if you want to go that route.

I love the idea of charging a premium for plastic bags.  Or, just go back to paper and charge for that. 

We should also somehow go the same route for plastic water bottles.  Wherever you can buy water per bottle, like in a gas station.  I would like to see some kind of water dispenser that charges for you to fill your own bottle.  Also, more widespread recycling containers for plastic bottles.