Disgusting Consequences of Plastic Bag Bans

[RobJohnson]

Klick and Wright estimate that the San Francisco ban results in a 46 percent increase in deaths from foodborne illnesses, or 5.5 more of them each year. They then run through a cost-benefit analysis employing the same estimate of the value of a human life that the Environmental Protection Agency uses when evaluating regulations that are supposed to save lives. They conclude that the anti-plastic-bag policies can’t pass the test -- and that’s before counting the higher health-care costs they generate.

The authors argue, not completely convincingly, against the idea that regular washing and drying of reusable bags would solve the problem. They point out that the use of hot water and detergent imposes environmental costs, too. And reusable bags require more energy to make than plastic ones. The stronger argument, it seems to me, is that 97 percent figure: Whatever the merits of regularly cleaning the bags, it doesn’t appear likely to happen.

The best course for government, then, is probably to encourage people to recycle their plastic bags -- or, maybe, just let people make their own decisions. Plastic-bag bans are another on a distressingly long list of political issues where I cannot see eye to eye with Eva Longoria.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-04/the-disgusting-consequences-of-liberal-plastic-bag-bans.html

[CG6468]

What kind of plastic bag works better when it's placed over the head of a politician or food cop?

[Eupher]

What kind of plastic bag works better when it's placed over the head of a politician or food cop?

One that doesn't leak, of course.

[Karin]

I don't see how you deal with pet care without using those.  When people walk their dogs, what do they pick up with?  They're necessary for cleaning up cat boxes, too.  They have so many uses around the house.  What do people in banned areas line their small waste baskets with? 

[Boudicca]

I don't see how you deal with pet care without using those.  When people walk their dogs, what do they pick up with?  They're necessary for cleaning up cat boxes, too.  They have so many uses around the house.  What do people in banned areas line their small waste baskets with? 

I don't think these idiots who write the laws stop to consider the ramifications.  After all, they know the laws don't apply to THEM.  I use plastic bags every day to clean up after my 13 cats and dogs.  Don't even need a shredder for my credit card offers and other b.s. mail which could potentially be stolen by some thief.  It's doubtful anyone would wade through the waste to extract some torn up sheets of paper.

[Boudicca]

What kind of plastic bag works better when it's placed over the head of a politician or food cop?

The kind filled with dog shit, or cat shit, of course.

[Celtic Rose]

I recently moved to a new city, and found out that their recycling service doesn't take plastic bags in their bins.  If I don't re-use them I'll have to take them back to the store to stick in the plastic bag recycling containers.

However, I would like to say that I actually like using re-usable bags when I'm shopping, and I've never gotten food poisoning from them.  I am disgusted that people would allow them to get that dirty without washing them.  They are easy to toss in the wash when necessary, and if you are already doing laundry then I don't see how that would add a significant amount of energy use.  Also, I do always put a small plastic bag around any meat products I get.  I like the fact that they don't tear on me while I carrying things up, and they are bigger so more items fit in them reducing the number of trips I have to take.

[Dori]

I recently moved to a new city, and found out that their recycling service doesn't take plastic bags in their bins.  If I don't re-use them I'll have to take them back to the store to stick in the plastic bag recycling containers.

However, I would like to say that I actually like using re-usable bags when I'm shopping, and I've never gotten food poisoning from them.  I am disgusted that people would allow them to get that dirty without washing them.  They are easy to toss in the wash when necessary, and if you are already doing laundry then I don't see how that would add a significant amount of energy use.  Also, I do always put a small plastic bag around any meat products I get.  I like the fact that they don't tear on me while I carrying things up, and they are bigger so more items fit in them reducing the number of trips I have to take.

Ditto....I prefer the reuseable bags too. 

[wasp69]

One that doesn't leak, of course.

I was going to say whichever one gets the best airtight seal, but, yeah...

[Wineslob]

Here, they are going to ban the plastic bags for large companies. Either you bring bags or, how convenient, pay .05 - .10 for each paper bag you use. The money goes to the company (mostly supermarkets).   What a crock.

[ColonelCarrots]

I wash my bag every morning.

[RobJohnson]

What kind of plastic bag works better when it's placed over the head of a politician or food cop?

 

[RobJohnson]

I recently moved to a new city, and found out that their recycling service doesn't take plastic bags in their bins.  If I don't re-use them I'll have to take them back to the store to stick in the plastic bag recycling containers.

However, I would like to say that I actually like using re-usable bags when I'm shopping, and I've never gotten food poisoning from them.  I am disgusted that people would allow them to get that dirty without washing them.  They are easy to toss in the wash when necessary, and if you are already doing laundry then I don't see how that would add a significant amount of energy use.  Also, I do always put a small plastic bag around any meat products I get.  I like the fact that they don't tear on me while I carrying things up, and they are bigger so more items fit in them reducing the number of trips I have to take.

Your situation is rare. I agree they look easier to carry. They hold more and are stronger.

I have seen customers at a local grocery store have a melt down because they left their bags at home and have to use an evil plastic bag. 

[rich_t]

I recently moved to a new city, and found out that their recycling service doesn't take plastic bags in their bins.  If I don't re-use them I'll have to take them back to the store to stick in the plastic bag recycling containers.

However, I would like to say that I actually like using re-usable bags when I'm shopping, and I've never gotten food poisoning from them.  I am disgusted that people would allow them to get that dirty without washing them.  They are easy to toss in the wash when necessary, and if you are already doing laundry then I don't see how that would add a significant amount of energy use.  Also, I do always put a small plastic bag around any meat products I get.  I like the fact that they don't tear on me while I carrying things up, and they are bigger so more items fit in them reducing the number of trips I have to take.

Or do what I do and merely toss them in the regular trash can.

[RobJohnson]

Here, they are going to ban the plastic bags for large companies. Either you bring bags or, how convenient, pay .05 - .10 for each paper bag you use. The money goes to the company (mostly supermarkets).   What a crock.

Sounds like bullshit.  I also read that most of the plastic bags were made in the United States, and this will cost jobs.

Twenty years ago they wanted to get rid of paper bags to save the trees. I wish the enviro-wackos would make up their freaking minds.

[RobJohnson]

Or do what I do and merely toss them in the regular trash can.

That is what I do.

They break down faster then other waste in the trash.

[RobJohnson]

The government of Washington, D.C., imposes a 5 cent plastic-bag tax. (Advocates prefer to call it a “fee” because taxes are unpopular.) Environmental groups and celebrity activists, including Eva Longoria and Julia Louis- Dreyfus, support these laws.

Most alarmingly, the industry has highlighted news reports linking reusable shopping bags to the spread of disease. Like this one, from the Los Angeles Times last May: “A reusable grocery bag left in a hotel bathroom caused an outbreak of norovirus-induced diarrhea and nausea that struck nine of 13 members of a girls’ soccer team in October, Oregon researchers reported Wednesday.” The norovirus may not have political clout, but evidently it, too, is rooting against plastic bags.

In a 2011 study, four researchers examined reusable bags in California and Arizona and found that 51 percent of them contained coliform bacteria. The problem appears to be the habits of the reusers. Seventy-five percent said they keep meat and vegetables in the same bag. When bags were stored in hot car trunks for two hours, the bacteria grew tenfold.

Jonathan Klick and Joshua Wright, who are law professors at the University of Pennsylvania and George Mason University, respectively, have done a more recent study on the public-health impact of plastic-bag bans. They find that emergency-room admissions related to E. coli infections increased in San Francisco after the ban. (Nearby counties did not show this increase.) And this effect showed up as soon as the ban was implemented.

Will the EBT cards cover the cost of the reusable bags in the cities with the bag bans? 

[Celtic Rose]

Or do what I do and merely toss them in the regular trash can.

Yeah, mine are going to be small trash can liners for the most part, or kitty litter bags.

[rich_t]

Yeah, mine are going to be small trash can liners for the most part, or kitty litter bags.

We use a lot of ours for kitty liter duty, but not all of them.

[RobJohnson]

Yeah, mine are going to be small trash can liners for the most part, or kitty litter bags.

I use my for trash. My mom used hers for litter.

[BEG]

Your situation is rare. I agree they look easier to carry. They hold more and are stronger.

I have seen customers at a local grocery store have a melt down because they left their bags at home and have to use an evil plastic bag. 

I always forget them in my trunk, then when I got my new car I put the bags in the closet when we were on our way to buy my new car, they have sat there since I bought my new car. Every time I'm checking out I say to myself, "damn it, don't forget to get those dang bags out of the closet next time".

[Wineslob]

Sounds like bullshit.  I also read that most of the plastic bags were made in the United States, and this will cost jobs.

Twenty years ago they wanted to get rid of paper bags to save the trees. I wish the enviro-wackos would make up their freaking minds.

Here's what the idjits have done:

http://kchonews.wordpress.com/chico-bag-ban-gets-final-approval/

[IassaFTots]

I wash my bag every morning.

I saw what you did there. 

[thundley4]

I saw what you did there. 

Are you a "Peeping Tom" ?

[IassaFTots]

Are you a "Peeping Tom" ?

Uh......no.