Paper, plastic or bring your own cloth bag?
By stary1
@stary1 (6612)
United States
September 20, 2011 2:16pm CST
If I understand this correctly, as of the first of the year many California grocery and other stores will ban plastic bags, charge for paper bags or you can bring your own.
I am sympathetic with the landfill problem but I always thought they could make some plastic that were biodegradable. I think they will be charging 10 cents for paper bags or you can bring your own.
This will be hard to get used to for me. Plus I reuse and reuse plastic bags for many things. I do not like the idea of cloth bags for groceries. Yuck...if things spill it will be extra messes. I will have to frequently wash the plastic bags to feel comfortable reusing them.
How does anyone else feel about this or do you always use cloth anyway???
7 people like this
32 responses
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I am okay with needing to bring my own bag. I shop at some stores that require that already. Or you can pick up empty cardboard boxes. I like cloth bags, and do not mind washing them. I do recycle if I get plastic bags and there are things you can make out of them. I really dislike the paper bags that I get at the dairy store. They tear apart when the cashier puts two gallons of milk in it. I had much rather bring in two cloth bags and have things sacked the way I want them.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160663)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I have gotten shopping bags free online a lot, and even in some of the stores, but I have a lot of canvas ones from when I carried books in them. I like them much better. If you buy any, do not even bother with the light weight microfiber ones, get denim or canvas, because you can just throw them in the washer and dryer. Even light weight rip stop nylon is great.
1 person likes this
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
20 Sep 11
OK TY..personally I think stores should give them out. After all, it would be advertizing for them.
Throwing them in the washer is the only way I want to go ..I already hand wash some clothing items and I certainly don't want to add bags to the list.
2 people like this
@Galena (9110)
•
20 Sep 11
it's just about getting used to it really.
I try and use re-usable bags, but we don't always remember to put them back in the car before we shop again. when we do have a carrier bag, we keep it and use it around the house, or re-use it when we remember.
I always try and avoid taking a bag, and keep a small canvas in my handbag, or use a scarf to make a bag for more lightweight objects.
I think it's good that shops are trying to cut out plastic bags. eventually we'll all get used to it. after all, people used to take a basket shopping to bring their things home in, and that was habit. we've just got used to being given bags for things.
2 people like this
@Galena (9110)
•
20 Sep 11
really easy. I keep one in my bag because they fold up small, and are good for tying your hair back or using to warm your neck if it gets chilly (talking of the square ones here)
you take two corners opposite diagonally, and tie them together in a knot. close to the middle. then get the others at diagonal opposites, and tie them right at the corners to make a handle.
it's a bag. just like that.
2 people like this
@peavey (16936)
• United States
21 Sep 11
I'm like you in that I use and reuse plastic bags. I use them for everything - trash can liners, to carry things in from the garden, to put things in to give away and a lot of other things. I know that many people just throw them away, but it will be a loss for me. And it will be more expensive for me, because then I would have to buy plastic bags to line the trash cans - where's the savings there? And I would buy more plastic trash bags to carry things around in - where's the savings there?
I have a few cloth bags and use them at the farmer's market and one store here that doesn't provide bags of any kind, but I don't use them anywhere else. If I did, I'd never have enough plastic bags on hand.
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
22 Sep 11
I think plenty of us care, but those in control just don't listen to the people they represent any more.
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I have no problem with eliminating plastic bags. I have been using reusable bags for shopping for a couple of years now. In fact, I design and sell my own from my shop at Cafepress.
Hoping same happens here in Ohio, or at least my neighborhood. Then, maybe my roommate will stop collecting plastic bags. He has hundreds of them, all over the house! Like he's ever going to use them all!
1 person likes this
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I understand the collecting of the bags, lol. I know a few who crochet, recycling the bags that way.
Sure am online with my shop. Don't want to get in trouble here, so won't share my link, lol.
1 person likes this
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
20 Sep 11
He's a hoarder, hahaha! When he goes out of town, I pick them all up and throw them away, lol. He has more and keeps collecting more. He hangs them off doorknobs, furniture, hooks, everywhere! It bugs me, but I guess it's a minor thing, hahaha.
1 person likes this
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I know what you mean..when we moved we had way more bags than I ever realized. I always save them since we always plan to reuse/recycle..but lol there is a limit. Still..I can't throw them away..I MUST reuse them 
OK so this new bag thing will solve that problem...
Are you connected with Cafepress on line? I really like that site
OK so this new bag thing will solve that problem...
Are you connected with Cafepress on line? I really like that site2 people like this
@flowerfest08 (1677)
•
20 Sep 11
hi:)
I think using a cloth bag is better, as we know plastic bags are not good for the environment... but here in the Philippines all of the malls and groceries are still using plastic bags, but I hope that they used paper bags or cloth instead.
2 people like this
@katcarneo (1433)
• Philippines
10 Oct 11
Some cities in the Philippines are already implementing ordinances restricting or totally banning the use of plastic bags. When you shop in malls anywhere in Muntinlupa City they'll give you your goods in paper bags, or you can purchase cloth bags. I use cloth bags a lot but there's a downside----I used to collect platic bags and use them as garbage bags (as many people in the Philippines do.) Now that I don't get plastic bags from the supermarket to use, I purchase the black garbage bags.
@0CoOlGuY0 (103)
• Portugal
20 Sep 11
I used to reutilize the plastic bags from the markets(as they were free)!!!Now it is rare the time that i buy plastic bags and normaly i bring a big bag and take it all in the said bag(i know, messy xD)
2 people like this
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
20 Sep 11
It would take some getting used to for sure. We always get the plastic bags. I know of some stores that use "green" plastic bags, so I know they are available, but probably cost more. Maybe the ten cents per bag will help to balance the California budget?
1 person likes this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
22 Sep 11
I'm with stary on this. I would think the 10 cents would go to reimburse the cost of providing those paper bags. They are not free to the stores. Check Costco or Smart and Final to see their true cost. The cheaper plastice shopping bags the stores have for sale are only about 14 cents for the strongest size if stores buy them in quantities of 1000 or more to sell, but that's without the store name. Imprinting is more. Biodegradable bags are $81 for 500 of the largest, heaviest plastic size that break down when exposed to weather. The plastic bags currently being handed out at grocery stores are about three cents a bag , not counting shipping for a carton of 1,000. The flat paper grocery bags with handles without imprints are $80 for a bundle of 250, or $38 for 4 such bundles. The large paper grocery bags without handles are only only $39 for a bundle of 500. The stores do have to pay added shipping to have these delivered, and that can raise the price considerably, but you get the idea. The 10 cents a bag is quite reasonable that the stores will be charging. Probably the merchants will be happy not to have to give so many bags for free.
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
20 Sep 11
California always the leader. (I live in California) I thought it was the biggest mistake when stores went from paper to plastic. Paper sacks are biodegradable, so better for the environment. I too have great difficulty remembering the canvas bags and avoid the stores that require you to bring your own or they charge you.
Not looking forward to this, I know what will happen I will end up owning hundreds of the reusable bags because I will continually forget the ones I have already purchased.
I want my paper bags back!!!!! As always just my 2 cents worth!!!
@beaniefanatic13 (5076)
• Grand Junction, Colorado
22 Sep 11
They are a much cheaper quality than paper bags. They don't stand up during bagging, I can't tell you how many times they have to place in additional bag just to get it in to my basket.
I think this law is just one more way to try to control one more area of our lives.
Isn't this the truth. So sick of so much government interference.
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
21 Sep 11
LOL...I don't remember plastic being introduced..I remember always having it..and I would often ask for paper and plastic to keep things extra strong...
I too will have a collection ... I don't like to reuse a dirty bag...so I will be buying a lot and keeping them in the car and I guess when I run out I will wash them all together..
2 people like this
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
22 Sep 11
They obviously tried to force the plastic bags on us because they are cheaper for the stores. But they have to use more of them to get everything bagged, and I hate them because they won't stand up in the car and things fall out of them and start rolling al over. I always forget to take the reusable bags into the store and have to go back out and get them. I think this law is just one more way to try to contol one more area of our lives.
@buddha3 (1026)
• India
21 Sep 11
Well i would prefer using my own cloth bags and in fact i've been doing it for a couple years now. of course, there are some things that might spill and for such things i use plastic bags. but since plastic bags are going to be banned at your place, I think it's difficult. Maybe you can take extra care so things don't spill in your cloth bag. This apart, cloth bags are the best for our environment. Let's cope up with small little problems of cloth bags and try to contribute toward environment conservation
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
22 Sep 11
I agree it is morally right to care for the environment. I also thought there were biodegradable plastic bags. I don't like the idea of peole reusing cloth bags without ashing them. LOL mayve it is the microbiologist in me but it's a turn off thinking about a bunch of dirty bags all over the supermarket in carts...
@kelly10 (678)
•
21 Sep 11
I do reuse plastic bags but on occassions I have bought more items then I thought I would so I don't have enough bags. Luckily where I shop, Tesco, they don't charge you for using a bag and any bags that you reuse you get a reward point for each. Therefore I don't think it's fair to charge for a plastic bag. Sometimes I have gone shopping and thought I had a plastic bag in my handbag but I was mistaken, why should people be penalised for a genuine mistake?
1 person likes this
@abitosunshine (765)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Hahaha! I hear you on the water issue! I'm lucky, I have well water, so at least it isn't costing me anything.
I think it's nuts to have to pay for the bags at the stores, but I am not surprised it's being done that way. There's a few here who charge if you don't bring your own. Fortunately, I always have my canvas bags.
It will take getting used to for you, for sure. I guess with me it all began a few years back when I roomed with my aunt, who is an environmentalist. I'm not, not to an extreme anyway, but I guess I picked up a few good habits from her.
1 person likes this
..lol I think of well water as cool, refreshing and pure ...as in clean and healthy. Well TY for the info...@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
22 Sep 11
Not all well water is refreshing. Our well has very hard water and has way too much sulfur. We have to have both a water softner and a reverse osmosis system (for drinking and cooking) or it would taste and smell terrible.
@mythociate (21432)
• Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
22 Sep 11
Sincee I walk everywhere, I always carry a cloth-bag or two (picking up litter on the way to the store, carrying my groceries on the way back ... if I lived with family, I'd need 2 or 3 bags for that).
On the advice of Dr. William Douglass tho, I always remember to run my cloth bags through the weekly laundry; carrying them around much longer WITHOUT washing `em pollutes MY environment, never-mind the rest of the world!
1 person likes this
@stary1 (6612)
• United States
24 Sep 11
You are a good citizen Few people would pick up others trash.
The doctor is correct... bags pollute our environment and it's wise to have a routine of washing weekly
I remember a study on the news talking about how germ ridden women's purses were since they were used for long stretches with out being cleaned. I proceeded to clean all my purses. That was something I had not thought about 
.
Few people would pick up others trash.
The doctor is correct... bags pollute our environment and it's wise to have a routine of washing weekly
I remember a study on the news talking about how germ ridden women's purses were since they were used for long stretches with out being cleaned. I proceeded to clean all my purses. That was something I had not thought about .
@jaderamirez (1029)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
I wish we have a strict policy regarding the use of shopping bags instead of plastics here in the Philippines.I think by using the shopping bags we will help to contribute in protecting our mother earth. We should protect the earth for the next generation, we should not only think of ourselves.
@bagarad (14283)
• Paso Robles, California
22 Sep 11
AS many have already stated, we are reusing our bags as wastebasket liners. For us they are not single use bags. What I thought were too many to use, I have always recycled. I seriously doubt if this new law will do much to save the earth.
@jaderamirez (1029)
• Philippines
22 Sep 11
Madam, It will not save the Earth alone but, it will contribute in saving the Earth. If we can do just a little sacrifice why not do it.
@cloudflix (112)
• United States
21 Sep 11
I seem to remember that there were plastic bags made that were biodegradeable. They used soy or corn or something. The problem was, if they got wet in the rain while you were using them, they might go ahead and disintegrate and drop your groceries, so not very practical in the long run.
I, like so many others who have responded and yourself, also reuse plastic bags for trash bags, and for waterproofing items in my backpack in case I get caught in the rain. I live on a sailboat, so it is much easier to take a small reused grocery bag of trash to shore than a normal sized trash bag and we try to cut costs however we can, too. My boyfriend and I sometimes have trouble running out of plastic bags, rather than having too many!
If they are going to charge 10 cents for paper bags, they may as well keep plastic bags, too, and just charge 5 cents each for one or the other.
@cloudflix (112)
• United States
26 Sep 11
lol, we are still working on the organized part. It's pretty sweet, no rent right now, but it's a lot of work and kind of primitive, no running water, no hookup to electricity. We have solar panels for a small amount of electricity, but no tv, can't use computer on the boat, etc... actually, I kind of like not having all that stuff. Except I really can't wait until we get to the point where we can use our computers on the boat for work.
@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
21 Sep 11
I live in Austria and they have now created some biodegradable bags, which one can use to throw kitchen rubbish to the bio rubbish bins. They are great, as one doesn't need to find any paper bags to throw that rubbish away, or dirty one's fingers. One has to pay for the roll of those bags, but they solve a big problem, so I don't mind. In Woolworth Australia they also have different colored bags, which are so attractive, I even got a few to bring back with me: black, turquoise, yellow, light blue. They cost $1 each, but one can use them, keep them and use them again and again, as they are quite sturdy. Those bags have also been designed to fit in the area where bags are filled, be it by oneself, or an employee, although those are fast disappearing, as one can do everything oneself, including using the cashier machine!
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222989)
• Chile
21 Sep 11
In my country up to a few months ago they only had plastic bags. Now they sell at a very low price some biodegradable bags. If you take them back to the super, they will give you another if it´s torn or too dirty.
@zhawee (873)
• Philippines
21 Sep 11
you have a point. for me i used also a plastic bag not only im comfortable its also u used in many things. even here in the Philippine some people using a cloth bag but some people bring it own also plastic bag to put inside in the cloth bag. But im comfortable in plastic bag..
1 person likes this
@bewitched13 (792)
• India
21 Sep 11
Even in India the plastic bags have been banned at last. We are asked to bring our own bags or pay for the plastic bags they give. I had never been in favor of this plastic bags although they are reusable. People just litter this plastic bags in public places which create a nuisance. Cows eat these bags unknowingly and get choked. Cloth bags can be washed but we take big bags made of jute. This need not be washed often and is also durable. Happy mylotting.
Those people should be punished 
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
21 Sep 11
I do use cloth at times, if I can remember when I am shopping to bring them to the stores, but then there are times I do use the plastic as well. GG told me once to make sure I put them in my car's trunk and I have gotten better doing so.
1 person likes this
@starrose_ara (784)
• Philippines
21 Sep 11
I love to help in preserving our environment so I pick using the cloth bag as what I am doing right now. I watched an episode in the television about this technology use by people here in the Philippines to transform plastics into something useful like house roofing but they lack proper exposure and funding. I dislike paper since they are not that durable. For small items they can be useful like placing my food that I take with me to the office for lunch and snacks.
