There's a bill in the works right now to help limit the use of plastic bags. They are proposing to put a 10 cent fee on plastic bags in Hawaii. A group of students in support of the law festooned the state capitol with the amount of plastic bags that one person receives in a year. It certainly makes a statement.
I don't use that many because as you all know I keep a couple of nylon bags attached to my backpack at all times for when we go shopping.
When we go grocery shopping where we buy more than a couple of bags worth of items, I save the bags and fold them up for reuse.
I learned how to do this from my college classmate, Gail. She folds the bag in half and then in half again. Then you fold them into triangles.
This way we always have a ready supply when we bring things over for friends and relatives. They're also great for potlucks so guests can carry food containers in them to bring home.
I really think the plastic bag law is an excellent one. We have become too much of a throw away society and need to take a step back and do what is right for the environment that we're leaving for our grandchildren. We can help do this one less plastic bag at a time.
I don't use that many because as you all know I keep a couple of nylon bags attached to my backpack at all times for when we go shopping.
When we go grocery shopping where we buy more than a couple of bags worth of items, I save the bags and fold them up for reuse.
I learned how to do this from my college classmate, Gail. She folds the bag in half and then in half again. Then you fold them into triangles.
This way we always have a ready supply when we bring things over for friends and relatives. They're also great for potlucks so guests can carry food containers in them to bring home.
I really think the plastic bag law is an excellent one. We have become too much of a throw away society and need to take a step back and do what is right for the environment that we're leaving for our grandchildren. We can help do this one less plastic bag at a time.
I'm with you on this one! Why is it so difficult to get everyone working together for the benefit of our planet? One of my pet peeves: the beautiful lawns at the cost of poisoning the ground water with chemicals.
ReplyDeleteoverall, excellent law. But not well thought throught legislation with too broad restrictions. For example, the take-out lunch establishments are arguing that they need plastic because of the gravy and sauces, etc. And what about those plastic bags that you put your meats and fruits and vegetables into at the grocery store?? Those are just as harmful to the environment?
ReplyDeleteI agree, we are just starting to recycle in our city. It's about time...
ReplyDeleteIt's a good thing Kay! although I still need some as you said.
ReplyDeleteThis summer plastic bags will no longer be available in grocery stores at checkout in my town. The plastic bags in the vegetable aisles will still be available, but I've begun recycling those as well, reusing them for the next visit.
ReplyDeleteI understand that Seattle will be voting on the law this fall, too. I think it's a great idea. Even though it doesn't cut out ALL plastic bags, it makes a big dent in it.
Plastic bags are an issue here as well. I don't think the law goes far enough. We still get a lot of plastic bags from other stores than the grocery store. Folding those bags makes me think of my Japanese daughter-in-law. I'm totally amazed every time I see her wrap or fold something. I call it gift wrapping. She 'gift wraps' everything, even the kitty poop.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that a law would work in the UK, but about four years ago there was a huge push by the supermarkets for us to use less plastic bags, and more re-usable bags. The checkout assistants in most shops - not just supermarkets - now ask if you actually need a bag. Some charge for plastic carriers. Most people seem to bring their own bags now, and I for one feel as if I have to apologise if I forget. Mind you, I still need a few, as we use them in our rubbish bin, much cheaper than buying bags for the bin.
ReplyDeleteStores are using smaller and thinner bags, Safeway for example. I wish they wouldn't because when they do that, bags are almost useless. Might as well not bag at all like Costco. So if they pass the 10c law, I hope the bags are larger and sturdier, at least worth 10c lol. I love the folding tip.
ReplyDeleteL. from W.
Yes, here too. I now have bags of folded bags in the back of the truck, in the front of the truck, and at the top of the stairs waiting to go to the truck. LOL
ReplyDeletethis is the perfect green post Kay..
ReplyDeleteIagree with this completely, here in our city we must pay for plastic or paper bags if we don't bring our own to any store., 5 cents each bag.
ReplyDeleteWow - I've never seen the folding, origami (?) of plastic bags. I've seen tubes where they're just stuffed in until you drag one out. We have too much space in Kansas. DrumMajor
ReplyDeleteAmen!!! I take mine to be recycled.
ReplyDeleteIt is fantastic for the makers of polythene bin liners. The sales of their robust product goes through the roof whenever there is a ban on the use of plastic shopping bags.
ReplyDeleteShops will be shocked at how much the bin liner sales go up.
Bin liners: Usually tough & robust
Plastic shopping bags: Usually biodegradable & flimsy.
Net result: Plastic consumption goes up, public is mildly inconvenienced.
Pass laws in haste, repent at leisure.
Steve at the Pub: I was hoping everybody would use green reusable bags.
ReplyDeleteI would like to reduce plastic bag use too, but I do think about the jobs we might be eliminating when we pass such laws.
ReplyDeleteI have reusable bags for groceries, which I almost always use. Whatever plastic bags I do get, we reuse for household garbage, or if they are too small, we put in recycling.
I would support plastic bag bans, but I would want paper bags offered for those who don't bring their own. And it would be fine with me if there was a bag charge for paper too.
I would never have your patience to fold bags.
ReplyDelete