One Month Until Plastic Bag Ban Takes Effect

[Austinite101]

Most of the resistance against the ban died off a long while ago after people realized the ban wasn't armageddon. Most of the time I hear Austinites bragging about the ban to be honest. It's going very smoothly now.

[Zepheyr]

I wasn't aware of this ordinance, but I'm proud of Austin to hear they're passing it. Most countries in Europe do the same thing.

[apm193]

Originally Posted by Zepheyr

I wasn't aware of this ordinance, but I'm proud of Austin to hear they're passing it. Most countries in Europe do the same thing.

Actually in the UK hey don't ban plastic bags, they only charge a small tax. I personally believe this is a better idea because then you can still get plastic bags if you forget your reusable bags.

[Trainwreck20]

Actually in the UK hey don't ban plastic bags, they only charge a small tax. I personally believe this is a better idea because then you can still get plastic bags if you forget your reusable bags.

They don't ban them here, either - you can pay a small fee (tax, essentially) and get a bag while at the store. I think it is 25 cents at HEB?

[scm53]

Originally Posted by Zepheyr

I wasn't aware of this ordinance, but I'm proud of Austin to hear they're passing it. Most countries in Europe do the same thing.

Really an apples to oranges comparison from a lifestyle standpoint - so much so as to be pointless. The difference is that Europeans don't shop the same way Americans do. I lived there and know. They shop much more frequently - more demanding of freshness, have smaller storage spaces - both pantry and refrigerator/freezer, many times shop in connection with a transit ride, etc. The US standard of a weekly trip to a monster store, to load twenty five or more bags into a huge car or SUV isn't unknown, but is definitely not the norm.

Ridiculous comparison from a practicality standpoint.

[CptnRn]

I forgot my bag today, I guess I'm not used to it yet. That is OK I just throw it all back in the cart and bag it when I get out to my car.

On the plus side, now I know what to do with all my old newspaper, I wrap kitchen scraps in it to make it easier to carry to the trash can.

[capcat]

Originally Posted by scm53

Really an apples to oranges comparison from a lifestyle standpoint - so much so as to be pointless. The difference is that Europeans don't shop the same way Americans do. I lived there and know. They shop much more frequently - more demanding of freshness, have smaller storage spaces - both pantry and refrigerator/freezer, many times shop in connection with a transit ride, etc. The US standard of a weekly trip to a monster store, to load twenty five or more bags into a huge car or SUV isn't unknown, but is definitely not the norm.

Ridiculous comparison from a practicality standpoint.

Not everyone in America makes the monster trip to the grocery store. A certain demographic does. It makes sense for families with young children, for example. Or, people who have to travel a good distance to the grocery. But it doesn't for everyone. I don't see shopping on a grand scale like I did 20- 30 years ago, from a range of age groups. Maybe at HEB on a Saturday morning but, there again, it's a certain demographic. I stop by the store on the way home from work and pick up what we need for maybe a couple of days, that's it.