San Francisco passes plastic-bag ban

[masterblaster72 0]

from here

Quote

City leaders approved a ban on plastic grocery bags after weeks of lobbying on both sides from environmentalists and a supermarket trade group. San Francisco would be the first U.S. city to adopt such a rule if Mayor Gavin Newsom signs the ban as expected.

The law, approved 10-1, requires large markets and drug stores to offer customers bags made of paper that can be recycled, plastic that breaks down easily enough to be made into compost, or reusable cloth.

I think this is a great idea. European countries have been implementing similar laws for some time, and it's about time the States do something too.

Along with your lunch from the average deli in NYC, you get:

- plastic container for your food
- plastic fork, knife and spoon
- small plastic ziplock back containing your plastic utensils and napkin
- plastic container for most drinks unless they're canned or bottled
- plastic bag, sometimes doubled.

I always wondered where this plastic goes -- it doesn't biodegrade easily.

Hopefully other cities will follow suit.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.

[Gawain 0]

I think the money that will be spent by businesses and other agencies to enforce this law would be better served by starting a hyper-advanced recycling program. God knows the knowledge is there. The talent in that market is staggering. And the community at large would have been a great test bed for exploring radical new ideas like that.

In the end, this law will make little difference for the region, San Francisco isn't that big of a city, just about 1,000,000 people, and the rest of the Bay Area isn't that likely to hop on board, so they are still going to have to do something about the plasic that a commuter or someone brings up from their homes across the bay, from Marin County, or points south on the penninsula.

edit for spelling. And to add: They could have started building models of recycling after the Japanese, they recycle...everything...everything.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[Royd 0]

The environmentalists just can't make up their minds. We went to plastic because, God forbid, we should cut down a tree to make paper.

I think that they just enjoy holding everyone hostage.

[livendive 8]

Quote

The environmentalists just can't make up their minds. We went to plastic because, God forbid, we should cut down a tree to make paper.

Perhaps they'd prefer we re-use things as commonly necessary as shopping bags. God forbid someone prefer that we actually conserve natural resources (petroleum OR timber) when we could manufacture and sell products that we use once and dispose.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[Royd 0]

In Reply To
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The environmentalists just can't make up their minds. We went to plastic because, God forbid, we should cut down a tree to make paper.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Quote

Perhaps they'd prefer we re-use things as commonly necessary as shopping bags. God forbid someone prefer that we actually conserve natural resources (petroleum OR timber) when we could manufacture and sell products that we use once and dispose.

The big box stores are actually doing it right.
You use the boxes that product came in. They can be recycled.

I've personally never liked the plastic bags. They have no rigidity.
When you get home, half of the groceries are laying in the trunk or the back seat.

[kelpdiver 2]

Quote

I've personally never liked the plastic bags. They have no rigidity.
When you get home, half of the groceries are laying in the trunk or the back seat.

plastic bags are preferred by those who walk home (or use the bus) from the grocery store. You can't easily carry more than 2 paper bags, while you can do 5 or 6 plastic bags.

SF isn't a drive from store to garage sort of place. Most people get a couple blocks in.

[shropshire 0]

As I understand it, they are not banning all plastic bags, just those made from petroleum. So Bio-degradable plastic is O.K

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome