Comments on: Here we go again- now Seattle bans both plastic & paper bags, and styrofoam

By: Chantilly

Chantilly — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 05:25:54 +0000

I am truly appalled at the responses I’ve read so far. Is it really so demanding to use reusable, more sustainable bags to pack our groceries? Paper and plastic bags are a waste of money and resources. Canvas bags are stronger and hold more materials anyway. I for one have grown accustom to their use and would approve of this same measure in Spokane.
By the way, I work at a grocery store and know quite a few customers who would agree.

By: Marc Keith

Marc Keith — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:31:58 +0000

I really like the plastic bags, especially the bright red colored ones. Imagine the engineering that went into making a tree decoration that will stay in place for 20 years or more, and needs nothing but the wind to put it into place. Just watch, next on the list Seattle is going to ban my cigar smoke in public places. Oops, nevermind, they already did. The nerve!
Marc

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:40:38 +0000

Randy Munro — ABSOLUTELY! I worked in grocery when I was younger & all the things you have mentioned are right on track.. I am so picky when it comes to placing certain foods together in a bag. Anyways, I agree with what a lot of you have said.. I am slightly for it (but mostly against it). It would be great if people could just do what is right for our economy & environment but if we forget to grab that re-usable bag must it really need be governed or charged for it? Why cant they look at reinforcing at all convenient, grocery, & stores that supply bags with a small credit (like some do already promoting good responsible behavior from its buyers. I am okay with the Styrofoam containers that makes sense.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:25:27 +0000

Unbelievable!!! Are we really having this discussion? Have we lost all sense? Yes, we all must do our part, but it is not the governments responsibility to legislate us to death. Americans have become too passive and willing to let our elected officials run our lives. Most Americans may want to reeducate themselves with the actual duties of government. Time to stand up and get the message out—-Enough is Enough!!!!

I just thank God I live in Eastern Washington and will do everything I can to make sure that Seattle’s insanity stays put.

By: Cynthia Villines

Cynthia Villines — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 06:04:16 +0000

I think that it is a shame that the government feels the need to make a law about these things.. people should voluntarily decide how they want to help the environment. That said, we should all use re-usable bags when we can, most of the dry items and fruits and veggies you buy can easily be taken home in a canvas or recycled bag. To prevent contamination you can use plastic bags for meats and leaky items. Surely just making this small change would decrease the amount of plastic bags that our city uses drastically. We all have to do our part to help our environment, even if that means making the occassional change in our tried and true routine.

By: Coral

Coral — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:09:33 +0000

My husband and I use canvas bags when we can remember to take them out of the car. We are getting better about it. I try to remember to wash them often. Although, I have seen people using canvas bags I wouldn’t put trash in. Common sense, once again, needs to used. I don’t think it’s correct to legislate choice. More government is not good government.

By: Jerry Lynch

Jerry Lynch — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:27:58 +0000

I have been taking my own bags to the store for about a year, and I love it. Sometimes I forget them, so now I do throw them in the back of my car (not on the floor). If I trust a guest or a child in my car, I trust a grocery bag there. There are germs everywhere, but I don’t really see how my bags can contaminate other people’s groceries more than people’s hands, which touch everyproduct and surface in the store. Wash your vegetables when you use them, wash your hands often and before preparing food, open containers properly, and enjoy your food, don’t be afraid of it.
Reusable bags work great.
I hate that Seattle is requiring it, similar to what they did last year with the menu labeling in restaurants.

By: Alisha Louvier

Alisha Louvier — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:51:13 +0000

I think that the bags are optional…when u go to the grocery store u have carts and why not just take everything out in that…Ya the unloading when u get home but hey a little exercise never hurt anyone..

By: Randy Munro

Randy Munro — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:30:13 +0000

I work in a grocery store. I know that public health laws prohibit covering any fresh produce or meat with burlap covers at night because they are unsanitary and can produce dangerous bacteria. It’s a Washington State Law! How is canvas any different from burlap? Also, things like fish, chicken, red meat with bloody juices, watermelon, cantaloupe, halves, slices, chunks…..lots of liquid here also for creating the spread of dangerous bacteria……. need to be packaged in plastic or leak proof bags to keep them from contaminating other fresh foods like raw produce, ready to eat foods, frenchbread, that is in paper bags,etc to keep from contamination.

So, if a consumer gets e-coli, or salmonela, by tossing Potentially Dangerous Foods (PDF’s) cross contaminating other foods in their canvass bag and the dangerous bacteria contaminates and sickens or kills someone or their kids, who would be liable in a lawsuit? Would you sue the State, The Health Dept, The Supermarket, or all of the above? A reasonable question I think!

Thanks, Randy Munro

By: ForReusableBags!

ForReusableBags! — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:29:08 +0000

I think the “bring-your-own-bag” idea is fabulous! I do not agree with the idea to be able to charge… especially since the place that would have to supply the bags [the store] would not be the ones benefitting. Look at Costco, they don’t supply bags, yet people LOAD up their carts and cars! No need for a charge.
As for the bacteria issue, I agree that the bags will likely bring in additional bacteria to the store. Everyone who idealizes that our grocery stores- where we choose to purchase food- are sanitary, are just living in denial. WE, THE SHOPPERS bring in a ton of bacteria when we walk in the doors. I have never seen anyone wash their hands as they walk in the doors. And to the person who thinks peoples cars hold all the bacteria, I agree. This bacteria comes in the door along with these people’s purses and hands [the ones that touch all of the fresh produce to find just the right item]. Consider all of the items that are handled by the cashier and baggers [that will also be handling the bags]. We are talking about meat, vegetables, cans, and loads of other things that are filthy. Not to mention our money - filthy. And the baggers collect the carts from the parking lot - worse! This is just a lame excuse to continue being as lazy as possible. The bags are non-biodegradable, and it would be nice IF people recycled them, but this is just not a reality.