In a recent commentary on Assembly Bill 1998, the bill that would ban single-use plastic bags, the author (Gloria Allen, July 23 Tracy Press) states that this legislation is not the way to protect the environment — I am writing to respectfully disagree. This bill will help the environment, and on top of that, it’s good for businesses, too.
Grocers in California currently deal with a patchwork of local ordinances that ban the use of plastic bags at varying degree. This legislation will create a statewide standard that will treat all retailers equally, making it easier to operate in the state. I don’t think making California a more business-friendly state is bad idea — especially in these economic times.
AB 1998 is supported by the grocers, the unions, the environmental community and business groups because it makes sense. Most plastic bags become litter in our streets and waterways, costing cities and counties like ours millions to clean up each year. And despite the fact that there are a number of ways that consumers can recycle their plastic bags, including bringing them back to stores like mine, many of them don’t. In fact, in the past three years — since its implementation in 2007 — there has only been a 5 percent recycle rate, which is a small fraction compared to the nearly 19 billion single-use plastic bags that are distributed each year. This bill will make a much larger impact.
While this bill will eliminate the use of plastic bags eventually, they will be phased out gradually over 18 months, giving consumers time to prepare and adjust — with the overall goal of having consumers switch over to using reusable shopping bags. In an effort to incentivize the use of reusable bags, the bill would also charge consumers 5 cents for every paper bag that they use.
Our stores will not make any money off the sale of these paper bags. In fact, we would prefer to not sell any paper bags at all. On average, paper bags cost retailers as much as 10 cents per bag. This 5 cent cost to the consumer would merely offset the cost we are already paying for these bags.
In the end, it’s clear that the winner here is California’s environment — and, in turn, all Californians. The time for a ban on plastic single-use bags is now, and I urge the Legislature to pass AB 1998.
why do suppose that is? well in my cynical mind there is benefit for the store. the benefit comes with the $.05 surcharge for a paper bag. although i'm sue the writer is honest in saying the stores won't "make any money" from the surcharge its obvious they will save money. nothing wrong with that except it eliminates another form of cutomer service that is rapidly degrading everywhere.
stores have been providing a way to carry groceries as part of their busines for all my 60 somthing yrs. what will be next? will we be forced to bring a pail for our milk because of plactic bottles?
No more cutting trees, no more drilling of oil, use the materials from recycling plant to create plastic bags ...
delete the word "plastic".
CN
Grow bamboo farm and make bamboo bags.... the fiber is fantastic, used my canvas bag for 7 years and just recently purchased larger bag made out of bamboo! Make a good habit of taking the bag to the door knob after unloading it so you would take it with you next time you need to shop,
Think of farming and jobs it would generate?
CN
Now, because of our energy crisis an th fact plastic is a petrochemical all of a sudden plastic bags are now a problem.
In many respects th reasonin supplied fer jumpin from one bag ta another are virtually th same. Paper bags destroy trees, people don't recycle em an th pollution from manufacturin is bad. Plastic uses up oil, people don't recycle em, thairs pollution from manufacturin that's bad and thairs pollution in th land fill cus these thangs don't decay like paper or other plant based materials do.
Yes ya could use cloth bags an many people do. But apparently not enough are really inta recyclin cause much more don't. An wasn't thair just an article a month or so ago about th problems with cloth bags? Somethang about meat an produce liquids makin th bags a breeding ground fer all sorts of bacteria cus th people usin them over an over again don't wash them between each use?
Shore gotta hand it ta humanity, first it's a good idea an then its a bad idea. I just wish they would make up their minds an settle on one bag or another.