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"....eeeeeyo hurl"
Posted on 05/23/2016 11:15:43 AM PDT by MichCapCon
A new bill in the Michigan Legislature would prevent local governments from banning or overregulating the use of plastic bags commonly used by consumers. Senate Bill 853, sponsored by Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, would “pre-empt local governments from imposing regulations and restrictions on plastic grocery bags or other ‘auxiliary containers,’ defined as a disposable or reusable bag, cup, bottle, or other packaging.” The bill passed the full Senate recently and heads to the House.
Two Michigan counties, Washtenaw and Muskegon, are considering regulations on plastic bags, such as extra fees or a ban. A main argument is that they would help prevent littering. But the state already has laws against littering; if that’s the problem, then that’s what should be focused on.
And the research on the harm of plastic bags is mixed. As Michigan Capitol Confidential noted:
A study commissioned by the city of Austin, Texas two years after they banned plastic bags found a reduction in the use of plastic bags but also that people were throwing away reusable bags at a much higher rate than anticipated, mitigating the positive environmental effects. Other research has found that reusable bags often contain coliform bacteria and even a spike in visits to the hospital for E. coli potentially linked to bag bans.
Whether or not to use plastic bags should be decided by consumers. If individuals want, they can bring cloth or paper bags to the stores with them. And if there is enough popular demand, grocery stores are free to stop using plastic bags or charge extra for them.
My family chooses to use cloth bags when we grocery shop (especially since we are big fans of Aldi, which doesn’t provide bags). We’re grateful that we have the choice. Other consumers who prefer plastic bags shouldn’t have this choice taken away from them.
At last!! A voice of sanity!!
Common sense.
Also, those green re-usable bags are unhealthy.
Why would anyone use them to transport their groceries in them and then re-use them for the same thing the following week?
Just think about transporting meat. The outer packaging although superficially clean can carry animal fluids that will grow bacterial between trips to the store.
"....eeeeeyo hurl"
Personally, I hate plastic bags. We never use them. Your stuff is all over the car, and else the plastic handles will cut your finger off with the heavy cans always over stuffed inside.
Give me old fashion paper, cut from trees. Yes! They are insulating and reusable in countless ways and no danger to little ones.
If you look close, most of those supermarket reusable bags are not cloth, but rather a film embossed with a pattern to look like woven material. Most have some tag 'made from post consumer waste' attached. Want to guess what that is? I don't know what they call it in China but the collection process starts when you flush the toilet.
Some stores here in the Bay Area (near S.F.) still use plastic bags, but make you pay for them. It’s worth spending the .50 to $1.50 on that bag. Paper is perilous, and falls apart very easily. #BringBackOurPlasticBags!
cloth bags are just fine. you can even throw them in the washing machine with a towel load once per week.
ROFL
PITA.
AND now you are using water and detergent that ALSO “ruins” The Environment(TM)!
There is simply no getting around “hurting” the Earth.
Yes, actually the old paper is best (in the ‘80s they started screaming we needed to “save trees”! and not use them, hence plastic).
But, until they find a good way to incorporate handles on them strongly and cheaply that will not interfere with storage (cannot be those strings/ropes used in the dept. store), they have actually become less “efficient” than the plastic for the grocers.
I use them for cleaning up after my dog. Libs who want to control EVERY aspect of your life don't clean up - they step in it and track it in on the carpet. How else could you explain 0bama?
I like the plastic bags, but only because I like to carry a dozen of them into the house at once. You can’t do that with paper!
Actually most of those bags are made from recycles plastic. “Post consumer waste” isn’t poo that’s classified as “reclaimed”, it’s stuff we throw out.
Hawaii banned them, which is utterly crazy. How many tourists are going to bring their smelly reusable bags with them? Assuming they even use them. Next I go I’m going to bring about 50 plastic bags and let them freak out!
Green bags are people!!!
Reusable bags are unsanitary, paper bags are the best IMHO, and plastic bags make the most sense. That said I don’t believe this is an issue that should be legislated at the state level. If localities want to engage in the e-coli bag folly I think that should be their prerogative.
Give me old fashion paper, cut from trees.”
Me, too. Asked for paper bags when I bought groceries last week. Sacker, who was a teenager, didn’t have a clue as to how to sack using square bottom paper bags. Had checker call the manager and he and I had discussion about training new young employees on how to maximize space, sorting and giving some thought to process. Sackers have gotten into the habit of one or two items per plastic bag.
Am I ever with you! Speed and physics used to be a simple part of Sacking 101. LOL!! Neither are remotely a consideration presently.
Sackers are taught one thing— don’t put cans on top of the bread or eggs— and they clear the hurdle for genius. lol.
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