7Gen Blog

BYObag

I can't wait for the day when all plastic bags will be banned in the USA. If Europe can do it, why can't we? There is only one local supermarket in my area that refund 5 cents for each bag we bring in. I wish more stores did that! I work as a cashier at a Walmart store and always ask the customers if they want a bag for their items. I have found that most of the time they will say no :D but if you assume they want one , they will take it:( It is ridiculous how much money is wasted on buying bags for the store. And it is a pet peeve when i see employees throwing plastic bags in the trash that could either be reused or recycled! I also hate it when I forget to bring my own reusable bags, so what I end up doing most of the time is just carrying my items out without bags or in my shopping cart. I don't mind being asked for my receipt on the way out, but some customers don't like to be asked, which is just ridiculous! I wish Walmart gave incentives for more customers to bring their own bags. More stores need to give out free reusable bags to customers also to encourage them to use them.

If they can do it, we can too!

What happened to America leading the world? And what happened to all the promises and colaborations to make America GREENER? I live in Florida and I think this law should be passed not only in California, but NATION-WIDE. If the bill was proposed in Florida, I'd vote YES. I bring my own bags to the grocery store, and if i forget for some reason, I kindly refuse the plastic and just stick the items in my daughter's diaper bag.

In Germany, you don't have the option. It's just: bring your own bags. In CHINA you can either bring your own bags, or you pay a hefty price for paper bags at the store. Now, I know Germany is a leader in being green, but if CHINA--one of the world's greatest producer of greenhouse gases and pollution--can make their people want to bring their own bags, then why can't we, America (as a WHOLE, not just California) do it?

Really, I teach my 7 month old daughter about the trees in our back yard, I put the recyclables in her hands so SHE can learn to drop them in the recycle bins, and I try to teach her how great the world is but it will only stay great if we take care of it. But, if law-makers shoot down great strides like this, what is THAT teaching her? I'm so glad she's not yet old enough to understand what it means that they denied the passing of this law. But, what happens when she IS old enough? Will everything I try to teach her go to waste and be replaced by what she hears everyone doing, when she hears what these people that she should look up to are doing?

This law should have been passed. It should have been made nation-wide. If we're such leaders in the world, then why were we beat to the punch by Germany? Why did CHINA make the change first? What will this mean for the world? What will it mean for the CHILDREN?

Bring your own bags, regardless of if law-makers are making you or not. Because just because you don't have to pay for plastic, doesn't mean you can be selfish and irresponsible.

Plastic Bags are Horrible

I have been buying the reusable cloth bags, we are a large family and end up with too many plastic bags. They should get rid of plastic and give people who a few reusable bags to start with!

The right way to pack bags

As a Californian living in Texas, I was shocked by how many plastic bags one grocery chain in particular seems to use. One bag for bread, one bag for eggs...recently the checker gave one tiny bag of specialty salt it's very own grocery bag! Seriously, it was so ridiculous I took a picture of it!

I happily take my thermal or cloth bags shopping and that little 5 cent discount each is a nice thank you from the store. I appreciate that many stores carry cloth bags, ask you if you brought your own, or have stopped bags all together and use left over shipping boxes. Personally, I think that's better than regulation since it's the customers' attitude that's the heart of the matter.

Plastic, Paper or Reusable ? That Is The Question.

Whom amoung us aren't bombarded with an overflow of plastic bags that generally have no useful purpose after they bring your groceries home?Reuse? some do.Recycle?Again some do, but we are lazy by nature and who wants to gather them up, put them in a car and drive to a market that may or may not have a recyling program.Throw them away? None of us want to do that so we are at a crossroads.BYOB is a novel idea but we are always forgetting them in the car, in the house or what if we overbuy? I personally prefer reusable bags they are stronger,carry more and even those that keep frozen stuff,well frozen. I am a cashier at a high volume, pack your own groceries,store and people are adapting, slowly, but more customers are using reusable bags. The store I work has a discount for each of your own bags you use.I know of only one other store in my town that does this, humans not only lazy by nature we are greedy too, to save 6 cents per bag people will do it.Especially during tough economic times. As for the people who may lose thier jobs that make plastic bags I hope they will find work fast for thier families sake. Is it fair to charge people to use a bag? Well my momma has always said "life isn't fair." If we just imagine the mountain of plastic bags each of us collect what what the mountain look like of millions of peoples bags.The change starts with each of us.We can make make a change.

Woops, forgot my green bag

I think we all agree that Green bags are the Only way to shop, but for those times when you over spend or forget your bags here are a few ideas:

Collect your plastic bags and return them to a responsible store that recycles them. REMEMBER to remove receipts and tags from all plastic bags, this hampers the recycling process. Also sort plastics by type. Not all plastics mix well together (they can be of different materials and melt index) and to aid in the recycling process, bundle like kind of bags together, removing paper inserts, drawstrings and other non-plastic materials. Then you can feel better about your plastic purchase indiscretions.

Canvas bags

My mom started using canvas bags over 15 years ago and I also have been using them ever since I left her house 13 years ago. Imagine the looks she got back then when she started bringing her own bags. She had many a bagger put the groceries in plastic bags first and then into the canvas so that they would "remain clean". One year for christmas she hand painted canvas bags for friends and familys' presents. She has set such a great pioneering example to me and the rest of our family that it is a compulsion for me to reduce my impact on the planet. I love that she was so far ahead of the times and even now if she happens for foget her bags (very rarely) she only uses paper because it decomposes. This law may not have passed this time but it is huge progress from 15 years ago. Hopefully 15 years from now all of the states will have passed similar laws.

Grrrrrr

It pains me greatly to see people using plastic bags and paper bags when they shop. My roommates know better than to come home with anything other than reusable shopping bags and I'm thankful for their efforts to minimize their carbon footprints, even if it is more to avoid my wrath than for the environment. But really, it drives me batty to see such waste when reusable bags are not only better for the environment, but they're so much easier/sturdier to fill up and carry your groceries! You can cut down on trips from your trunk to your kitchen by using reusable bags! I hope we can pass this law!

Plastic Bags

I agree that plastic bags are harmful to children, but as responsible adults we should try to keep them out of reach. We store ours in the garage where only adults can reach. They have come in handy when need to throw away a dirty diaper. (As we do not have a diaper genie) We also use for cleaning out the fridge. Our neighborhood does not allow composte sites. If we were to do away with plastic bags, then we would be putting people out of work in this tough economy. It would be a cycle that seems to not end. Would it creat more jobs if we all starting using green bags? That's a thought.
With that said. I do use green bags when I go shopping for several reasons. To help the planet and most places give you a discount for every bag you use. I use them when I have to take things to other's homes. Of course I end up leaving and have to buy more bags.

We should all do our part to help our planet not be over run with garbage by recycling as much as we can. Most cities it's free.

Stop the overuse of plastic bags!

I live in California in the heart of Silicon Valley. I consider myself to be quite eco-friendly. I have been using reusable bags before they were cool!. To put it this way, I'm 31 and I have been using them since I could buy stuff at the store. My Mom always used them, so thats what I thought you did. When I was a pre-teen I loved having to sort our recyclables, and learn about how to recycle.
Now that I am an adult and have a daughter of my own, I want her to grow up in healthy planet. Some of the stores I shop at over-use plastic bags. I see cashiers putting one or two items in a bag then getting another one. I see peoples carts overflowing with plastic bags, and all I can think is I hope this people recycle them, and sadly the answer is most likely No! I believe peoples excuse that it is too hard to remember or its just too much work, is pure laziness. People these days would never forget to bring their cell phone with them, so why can't we remember to bring a bag with us???
When I saw that this bill was coming up to a vote, I knew deep down it would not pass, its too extreme for politicians to approve. The problem with our government, is that they are afraid to put bills into action like this because they are unpopular with some of the voters and the big companies, like the Plastic Association. They have big money, and can influence the vote. This is just wrong! I'm not sure what the compromise is, but something needs to be done. The amount of plastic bags that are thrown away is disgraceful, and our planet deserves better!

plastic bags

I don't feel comfortable plastic bags at all, every time I saw at store and even see the peoples are carrying the bags since they're not environmental friendly. I feel all store simply should not use plastic bags and tell them using them is how does it affect on our earth. I see my favorite organic store still use small plastic bags for vegetables as they are wet and paper bags are weak for them , except for small paper bags for fruits.I carry my big reusable bags and small mesh bags for shopping as much as I can.

plastic bags

Blondie4LA

I've started a collection of shopping bags and I use my own bags whenever possible. My grocery store issues a 5 cent credit for each bag I supply and the only thing one must remember is: Wash your bags after multiple uses. But my question is, does the energy used to wash the bags - soap, water, sewage disposal of waste water, carbon footprint involved in purchasing the bags, delivery of the bags, etc, etc, more efficient than paper bags supplied by the market?

the land of too plenty

i live in los angeles and unfortunately the majority of people here are too selfish to care about the impact on future generations...

Reusable bags to share!

I try to bring my reusable bags everywhere I go. In fact, I have so many of them that I give some of them to family and friends who don't have any. I keep some in my car so it's handy.
I love the bigger ones because they hold so much more and you'll only need one or two of them when you're shopping.
Hopefully one of these days the bill will pass.

Reusable Totes

I love bringing my own reuseable totes to the store. I love our local Co-Op grocery store here in Eureka, California, they have a sign outside their doors saying, "Did you remember your bag?" Love it love it love it!

BYO bags

I have 4 children, and they think it is pretty cool to bring our own bags to the store. They know they are helping planet earth, and they love being able to pick out their own bag. They each have their own.

Reusable Totes

Carol

Excellent idea. My daughter and I have been using these for at least a year - since our respective grocers (In upper NY State and Florida)started distributing them.

~~& on another note we have been recycling since the 70's even though at that time when we lived in Pa. we had to drive 15 miles across town to do it.

BYO Bill

I remember probably 15yrs. ago my parents started using cloth bags at the grocery store, so it has always instilled in me the necessity to recycle and re-use! I think the bill was at least a great idea and a starting point for every other state to get in the "Green" mode. A lot of stores have started offering kick-backs for bringing your plastic bags back with you, which is again, at least a starting point. Unfortunately, this is going to be one of those baby-step processes before there is a big enough following to be heard.

If you haven't already, please check out the link to send your state representative the letter asking to pass a bill for stronger regulations on cleanig supplies! It's a great cause, and 7th Generation has a bunch of great info. about it!

This should be nationwide

Visiting other countries has helped me to realize how wasteful Americans can be. We all can contribute to make the environment and this world a better place. I don't live in CA, but I carry my own bags with me everywhere I go to shop. No need to "collect" more bags just to throw them out. We need to conserve and appreciate our resources.

RE: Using canvas totes

I don't live in CA but I use canvas tote bags whenever and where-ever I shop. I think each state should ban the use of plastic bags, they are not only harmful to the environment but pose a choking hazard as well.

No more plastic should be a habit

Yes it takes time to get use to but after the 3rd week I use reusable bags, have not have a problem unless is an unexpected trip, since I don't usually carry any in my car. I think first of all with the example, I have seen the numbers of shoppers with reusable bags in my supermarket, when I started 4 years a go there was not many around and saw some pointing at my bags while shopping around. Law, yes is always a bug push and agree with it, but still plenty of people break the law nowadays in the most insignificant ways, incentives... I agree might work better. Extra discount even if is tiny most of us are pinching pennies where we can. And the cost of the bags... well 99c and I just paid for the first 3, I have more than double the amount now and they have been free, with promotions on sales and products.
We need to make it a good habit!

Just say NO to plastic

There is no excuse for people to continue using plastic bags! Everyone should use reusable and every store should be able to charge you for not using them! I am very proud that my entire family has gone reusable. We all have a good supply. Most of us even keep some in our car at all times, just in case.

BYOB (bring your own bag) should be national law!

I live in Ohio but have been watching this issue in CA closely. I was saddened that it did not pass but excited that it got as far as it did! I hope that CA and all other states across our country will step up and vote yes for the earth. I know that I already do it every day!

Washington State has it's first city with green bag law

Edmonds Wa is first city in Washington to pass their own law addressing plastic bag use. I am sure it will meet obstacles and will be following it with great interest.

California is usually ahead of the curve, but not this time

It is disappointing to hear this bill failed. California is usually setting the standards for "green" practices, but this was one big step back.

I am on assignment in Ireland and they have had their own BYO for years and it works great and saves the environment. Even in the Washington D.C. metro area just this year enacted a law charging for plastic bags to encourage BYO.