TerraChoice

Why Are Plastic Shopping Bags Still the Norm?

I try to avoid using plastic shopping bags. For small purchases I decline a bag altogether, and for larger ones I try to remember to bring along reusable bags. But I’ll admit that I don’t always remember my reusable sacs, and sometimes it’s just easier to let the grocery store clerk load my stuff up in plastic. Which brings me to the question: why do grocery stores carry plastic bags at all? When I go for the monthly run to Costco, I take everything out in a cart, no bags. If plastic weren’t available, we wouldn’t use it.

In the US, San Francisco is the only city to outlaw plastic bags, though apparently the state of Maryland is considering a ban in some retail stores. According to a local news story, retailers like Safeway are against a ban because paper bags cost more. But who says you have to offer paper bags?

My local grocery store offers reusable bags for sale, and then gives me pennies back each time I use one instead of a plastic bag. Since the bags are only $1, they should pay for themselves within months.

Eco-friendly, reusable shopping bags are also easy to get. Buy them yourself, or better yet, pass the word on to your local store. EcoLogo-certified Oasis shopping bags are available in stock or for custom orders. Maybe your local grocery haunt just needs a nudge in the right direction.