SEP 24

I agree with phasing out the use of plastic bags but perhaps an outright ban is not the best idea. I am Canadian and living in a democratic capitalist nation I understand things in a capitalist context. I think that plastic bags should be banned eventually but why not use the banning of these bags as an opportunity for green education. What do people understand in a capitalist economy? Answer: money. So first, make the bags cost money. The government taxes plastic bags and the retailer by law passes that expense on to the customer. This has been done in Toronto. Every time I go to the grocery store I either have to bring a reusable bag or pay 50 cents for 10 crappy plastic bags. This might not seem like a deterrent but it is. In Toronto reusable bags are more then a fad; they have become the norm. Now people in Toronto don't want to use plastic bags because they are expensive and they associate that expense with their impact on the environment. If the Toronto municipal government had of done an outright ban it would not have created the sympathy needed in the green movement. Also, governments can generate much needed revenue that way. Appeal to what capitalist understand: their wallets.

Used plastic bags from stores are commonly used to hold garbage and are thereby disposed of at the local dump. They take up next to no space at the dump and will decompose in time. If you can't get these bags from stores, homeowners will have to buy them new from somewhere. So the proposed “good” that is supposedly served by banning them from stores is offset by the increased manufacture of similar bags and by an increased cost and bother for ordinary consumers. There’s a lot of strange people about who hate plastic bags just on general principles. Don't let them take control and foist their half-baked ideas on the rest of us. Plastic is good, if used properly and properly disposed of. Just like nylon stocking and all the other things we've invented to make our life better.

Used plastic bags can be turned into nutritious food through a revolutionary new process developed in China (in Zian Zhou province). Only 100 plastic bags is sufficient to produce the nutrition requirements for a person for an entire day.

The new process can create food with chicken, duck, lychee flavors.

If people will be required to bring their own bags to stores then the average person will buy and bring disposable plastic bags to the store.

Is the government going to pass a law on what types of bags customers can use?

My guess is that the "lengthy" environmental impact study will show that a ban is a BAD idea. Plastic bag bans are a knee jerk feel-good reaction to litter. But they aren't the best solution. Reusable bags also consume energy to manufacture, and create pollution. With more and more of them on the market every day, it's only a matter of time before we start seeing reusables littered on the side of the road. Most are made of plastic which isn't accepted at most recycling centers. Maybe we should think before we ban.

When I was stationed in Germany back in 1987. In the local markets, you had to bring your own bag. There was no plastic bag option at the time and they did not provide paper bags. This just worked and it was the norm. I was ok with that and still am.

But we are kind of stuck in a catch 22 with this issue. If we get rid of plastic bags, how will you protect your cloth bags from drippy bloody meat? If you don't, you'll have to wash them consuming water and electricity every time you do.

You will also have to get rid of produce bags. people seem to have forgotten about them. They are plastic as well.

this is a good idea, but it is wrong. you shouldnt have to be made to buy something if you can get it for free!

Answer: money. So first, make the bags cost money. The government taxes plastic bags and the retailer by law passes that expense on to the customer. This has been done in Toronto.

Green Silicon Valley innovation again! We are the first of our kind....made in SJ. Our philosophy is simple, why use something only once if you can use it again? This not only reduces the amount of virgin materials used, but also keeps materials out of the landfills. So, our products are made from reclaimed fabrics and made to be used over and over.

I feel that it is about time that a global stand be taken on the issue. Here in Mumbai, India, plastic bags were banned and those selling it were penalized Rs. 500, approximately 10 dollars but because laws weren't strict, the drive failed miserably. Plastic bags continue to be a part of daily life.

Strictly laws need to be put into place and a global stand needs to be taken on the same. Plastic takes approximately 500 years to decay and is already a huge problem.

Jute bags or even eco-friendly paper bags could be the answer to this issue but people need to be educated or else such endeavors won't succeed.