Plastic bags at the grocery store?

Question

Since everyone these days is on this big "going green" kick and it's a known fact that we use millions and millions of plastic bags each year at the grocery store (what a waste right?) why don't grocery stores just stop supplying the bags, or charge for them?

that would cut down on so much waste right? it only makes sense to me. it would force people to bring their own bags they already have and it would help cut down on plastic bag waste immensly.

So far Aldi is the only grocery store that i know who does this.

what are your opinions?

Answer 1

save a lot in savannah ga does exactly that and it is a good ideai.  walmart also has recycle bins that you can bring your bags to.   I use mine for the trash in the bathrooms , taking the dogs for walks, ect  but i still end up with to many

Answer 2

Stores in the northern suburbs of New York City give you a discount for bringing your own bags.  They also have cloth reuseable bags on sale, displayed near the check out counters, plus by the front door, they have bins for you to recycle your used bags.  That is more "customer service friendly" than stopping supply of bags or charging for them.

Answer 3

that is good idea,

i have never heard of Aldis

we dont have thoughs in Michigan...

but i know sam's club doesnt use plastic bags

they dont use any bags, i love it.

it makes me think I am doing a difference

maybe you should write to your city and ask that they

make it a law to not use bags???

Answer 4

a) Inconvenient for customers, therefore that shop would lose business.

b) Plastic carrier bags are almost always the degradable type.

c) Many people reuse supermarket carrier bags and use them as bin bags, lunch bags, dog waste bags. Removing the carrier bags forces people to buy much worse heavy duty bin sacks etc.

They tried to reduce the carrier bags in Ireland and actually found that the amount of plastic on the tip increased when they did this, for the above reason.

Answer 5

well, its not an opinion but, all you have to do is ask for papa bags instead. most grocery stored have them now.

Answer 6

The last that I heard, the city of San Francisco, was putting a ban on Plastic bags in the City.

I have see stores that encourage the return of plastic bags to be reused by the store.

one of the neat Ideas that I have seen recently is the use of plastic bags in new crafting ideas, I will give you a link to some of these.

http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2007/0...

Answer 7

1# We need to say paper bags only please

2# Bring our own totes.

3# Spread the word

4# Ask all your local store owners,managers to change there policy, to Recycle, or to Re-use the plasic bags if they can't get rid of them.

Card board boxes are also good to keep in the car to use,can load grocerys once you get to the car.

5# Ask all family,nieghbors ,friends to the same.

It's the only way it will really make an impact. I'm a mom of four paper bags will not work, can't hold them. So the tote bags are cheap enough, and last a long time ,so I use them.

Save the earth, Save Time, Save Money.

Sounds like a Win ! Win to me.

Answer 8

Most state health law prevent grocery stores from reusing grocery bags.  You are allowed to reuse your own bag or use a cloth bag you brought.  Stores that have bins recycle the bags, that means they are reprocessed into something new.  If stores did not have sacks of any kind, many people would shop at alternative stores.  To make this work it would need to be an enforced law.  Would it be better for the environment if those people who forget their bags to drive back home to get one.  I think not.  I like the idea of stores charging for bags.  Now some give 5 cents credit if you bring your own, but if you charged the 5 cents I think more people would bring their own.  5 cent credit + save 5 cents makes it 10 cents each visit.

Answer 9

In CA a few cities have banned plastic bags and more are considering it. Whole foods only uses recycled paper bags. All the grocery stores and an increasing number of other stores are paying you 5 or 10 cents for each bag you bring from home, that can be paper or plastic bags that was given to you from your last visit or any reusable bags.

I think we are nearing the end of the free plastic bag for purchases. Stores don't want to lose business and if one quits giving free bags, some shoppers will go elsewhere. Stores are making the bags more durable and more attractive, so more people are using  reusable bags. I expect in the next few years we will see more and more chain stores get rid of plastic totally.

Answer 10

definitely agree... it's a good step in making a change.  Everyone should just buy like reusable cloth bags for groceries and then bring it with them every time.  If only all grocery stores got rid of bags!

Answer 11

How do you suppose that charging for plastic bags will make any difference? They still need to have them in case everyone decides to pay- the only difference is that it gives supermarkets the right to rip off consumers even more!!