I realize that I may be the lone wolf crying in the wilderness, then again I may not be, but while I can’t do much about what is going on over the Bay Bridge, I can voice my opinion regarding an issue that is dear to me and pretty much everyone else to whom I have expressed this opinion. Once again, we who are responsible are paying the price for those who are irresponsible.
Eight states—California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New York, Oregon and Vermont—have banned “single-use” plastic bags which, in itself is a misnomer. Plastic bags are not necessarily single use. They are used again in homes for cleaning up pet feces and are used in bathroom trash cans, under the sink, or in the den and even in RV kitchens. They are used to contain the weeds when gardening.
During the covid pandemic the plastic bag ban was suspended because people brought in their own reusable bags, which were determined to be not as hygienic as the “single use” plastic bags. The pandemic may be waning but the reusable bags are still unhygienic. If a person has brought a reusable bag, I note that the check out clerk will clean the station before more food is placed on the counter.
If bags are reusable, compostable, biodegradable and recyclable, then why the ban and why the fee (which appears to be nothing more than another shakedown by local governments). Note that all these states that have banned plastic bags have not really banned them, but simply are charging for them. Note: The bags have not been banned, per se, but what was once free, now is available still, but for a fee. Who does this hurt the most? The poorest among us, of course. Once again, those who can least afford it, are pained the most.
In August 2014, California became the first state to enact legislation imposing a statewide ban on “single-use” plastic bags at large retail stores. The bill also required a 10-cent minimum charge for recycled paper bags, reusable plastic bags, and compostable bags at certain locations. Where did the proceeds for that charge go; no environmental group received the funds.
Hawaii prohibited non-biodegradable plastic bags at checkout, as well as paper bags containing less than 40 percent recycled material in 2015. Note that only non-biodegradable bags are banned. All others are still in use.
New York became the third state to ban plastic bags in 2019 with passage of Senate Bill 1508. The law, which went into effect March 2020, applied to most “single-use” plastic bags provided by grocery stores and other retailers. However, bags distributed at the meat/deli counter and bulk food areas are exempt, as well as newspaper bags, trash bags, garment bags, bags provided by a pharmacy for prescription drugs, and restaurant takeout bags. So what was the point? The law allows individual counties the option of placing a five-cent fee on paper bags, with two cents going to local governments and three cents to the state’s Environmental Protection Fund. And where do paper bags come from? Trees.
Five other states enacted legislation in 2019—Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Oregon and Vermont. In 2009, the District of Columbia enacted legislation requiring all businesses that sell food or alcohol to charge five cents for each carryout paper or plastic bag.
States have a long history of pursuing legislation related to labeling, recycling, and reusing plastic bags. In 1991, Maine became the first state to enact legislation requiring recycling efforts at retail stores. The law prevents retailers from supplying plastic bags unless they provide a convenient storefront receptacle to ensure used bags are collected and recycled. Since then at least four other states—California, Delaware, New York and Rhode Island—and the District of Columbia have followed suit. So is the option here to collect the plastic bags from the storefront receptacle and reuse it when checking out at the grocery store?
Linda Hamilton
Talbot County
Chip Heartfield says
I agree that the logic behind the idea of banning plastic bags is not always as sturdy as it should be. It sounds great, but it is not that simple. For example, paper bags cost more to manufacture and require far more energy than plastic ones. Reusable bags also have a larger carbon footprint and need to be re-used many, many times to reclaim the energy expended in making them – and by then, they are truly unhygienic. Here is National Geographic noting that good ol’ plastic bags have their merits compared to the others! https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/sustainable-shoppingwhich-bag-best/
Add to all this the unintended consequences; namely, that the purchase of heavier plastic trash bags skyrockets in areas that have banned the humble grocery store bags. People can no longer reuse the grocery ones to line their trash cans, pick up dog poop or the many other ways in which they come in handy.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220329142327.htm
Plastic (mostly from Asia) causes great harm to our planet, especially our waterways. But simply “banning” it does not appear to be the solution that makes the most sense.
Carol chisholm says
Shiver opined this has neither seen oceans of dying sea life nor mounds of bags that never dissolve. There are paper bags that are a better option. I clean my reusable s as I clean my hands. Americans should be ashamed. We are not alone on this planet.
Elaine Tama says
The best option is to bring your own reusable carryout bags with you to the grocery store. Bags that are machine washable are easy to use and can last for years. Another state – New Jersey – just passed a plastic bag law that took effect on May 4th. Stores like Aldi’s not only don’t provide plastic carryout bags but also charge 15 cents for a paper bag. That helps save trees.