Last night, after picking up my car at the dealer, I stopped in at the grocery store.
As the bagger loaded my veggies into paper bags, he said, "Next month these will cost 10 cents each."
"Really?" I asked.
"Yep."
"That's great," I said.
The bagger cocked an eyebrow at me.
"I usually use the reusable bags. But since I didn't plan on coming here tonight, I don't have them with me."
"Uh huh."
"I think charging people for bags could be good incentive for people to reuse."
"Or good incentive for them to get mad."
I thought about that for a second.
"I'd say 'screw 'em' but that won't make it any easier for you, will it?"
He smiled at me and shook his head.
How do you feel about being charged for bags?
xoxo,
Suzanne
It's absolutely a good idea. It's really not that difficult to use the reusable bags (or re-use the regular plastic bags). They've already done it in other cities and from what I hear it's a big success.
ReplyDeleteWe already get discounts (5 or 10 cents a bag) for bringing our own bags. It's kind of the same thing but it doesn't have the same effect. I guess a reward for bringing a bag isn't as motivating as a penalty for not bringing one.
Nice Audi! We use the re-usable bags for everything, the beach, kids projects, laundry, food shopping, but a penalty for not using one doesn't seem too fair.
ReplyDeleteIn many countries, bags aren't included. You have to bring your own bags or boxes. So it's a "free" luxury we in the US have come to enjoy and expect. But it's not the norm globally. I think it's fine to expect people to bring their own bags. We have a little discount at our grocery stores for BYOB which is kind of the opposite of charging for bags - currently we get a reward for bringing bags vs. a penalty for not bringing bags. Whatever, either way is fine for me.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great idea. Money talks and there are things we just take for granted. I would definitely take the walk back to my car to retrieve my own reusable bags if I knew that I'd have to pay for some plastic to fill my garbage can. (Oh, and pay someone to take it to the dump.)Bring on the reality check!
ReplyDeletePerhaps if everyone used reusable bags we wouldn't need them...but lets get real...The dude whom owns Ralph's or Schnucks, or Stop & Shop or A&P is making a mint...the bags are there, and in my mind, have always been there as a convenience so the shopper can bag their stuff...This bag charging thing is IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM a movement to save the planet, its an angle to make more money...I suppose this put's me on the pissed off side, and in the market for reusable bags...so, where do you BUY them?
ReplyDeleteI'm all in favor of it, esp when I read about the "islands" of plastic in the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI carry my own bags in the car, so I always have access to them. And if you need a reminder about why this idea has merit, check out:
http://www.google.com/search?q=plastic+bags+in+the+ocean&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=USRMToK9FrLUiAKM0Jxu&ved=0CE4QsAQ&biw=1052&bih=1163
We don't get charged because we use reusable bins which are great because they keep things upright in the trunk. We also use reusable bags. It has made a HUGE difference in reducing plastic in our own household. I'm surprised there are stores that still don't charge -- it's been pretty normal to charge for bags for several years around here. I'm all for it.
ReplyDelete...and I agree with Nancy--the Great Garbage Patch is horrific. Not to mention the amount of those bags I see littering ditches and trees.
I don't mind! I have had to purchase them on occasion. If I'm coming home from something and forgot my reusable bag. But I always use the plastic bags for something - like garbage or recycling bags. Or holding things. But this way I don't have a ton of bags around the house and I use them wisely! (I still try to go to the places that give them for free though lol)
ReplyDeleteI think it would be a good reminder that paper isn't cheap, and it would be an incentive for me to remember my own bags. I have dozens of canvas shopping bags which I always forget. I'm sure many are just like me.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that approach. I think a buck a bag, though;)
ReplyDeleteLove it. They charge in some towns around here too. I say outlaw the darn things.
ReplyDeleteI have NO problem being charged for bags, particularly PLASTIC ones. And it should be MORE than ten cents.
ReplyDelete