Recycling is in the bag

The Washington Times ^ | 2-25-05 | Ann Geracimos

[JZelle]

Plastic grocery bags: environmental curse or cure? Unlike paper products that come from trees, a renewable resource, plastic items are a petroleum-derived material and almost never are biodegradable. That would seem to give the environmental advantage to paper bags -- except that harmful chemicals and pollutants also are involved in the manufacture of paper. The debate remains a standoff, with the choice in most places ultimately up to consumers. However, a number of countries and locales have chosen, or are considering, taxing both kinds of disposable bags and using the money for research and education.

[JZelle]

"17 cents per bag tax"?! What'll they think of next?

[Sthitch]

If this were about recycling, and not revenue, the all or part of the $.17 would be refundable upon return of the bag.

[satchmodog9]

R+D my ass. More taxes to go into the general fund. These freaks really think(and know) people are stupid.

[Vaquero]

I dunno....gay marriage....other perversions...buying shopping carts for the homeless, etc...you name the stupidity and you can find it in Frisco.

[Youngblood]

They brought in a plastic-bag charge in Ireland a few years back (15 cent). Its been a massive success. You don't see too many bags lying in the gutter or hanging off branches there now. People just bring a bag with them when they go shopping, and if they need to buy a bag they can. I'm sure it will outrage many here, but based on what I've seen in Ireland, I'm all for it. The number of bags that are needlessly used in supermarkets in New York is ridiculous. If people have to think about the number they're using, they'll pretty quickly use only what they need.

[corkoman]

plastic items are a petroleum-derived material and almost never are biodegradable

Hooey! What do they think the material came from that made the bag??

Everything is biodegradeable. Everything. Even granite.

Its just a matter of how long it takes to degrade.

Silly wagging tounges.

[Alberta's Child]

On the other hand, it turns out that almost nothing is biodegradeable in a landfill, including almost everything that is considered "biodegradeable." Even things like paper and rotten fruit don't "degrade" very well when they are compressed and buried in an environment that isn't exposed to heat, oxygen, light, etc.

[LauraleeBraswell]

I actually agree with this. People should be encouraged to bring their own bags. It does help the environment. Plastic Bags are not biodegradeable.

I'm all about the environment too by the way. Save the humans. Now, I'm not a fanatic. And I don't believe in Global Warming, but I recycle and I re use and I don't throw my trash out the window or my gum on the street.

[LauraleeBraswell]

People should be encouraged to start their own compost piles.

[JZelle]

I agree with you on your points. I recycle too. I believe that if something can still be used then it shouldn't be in a landfill.

Also, I like the "conservative first, republican second" next to your name. That's what I always say to people about me.