To the editor:
I have been reading about the proposed ban on plastic grocery bags (PGBs). While I too really hate to see any litter, it seems to me that opinions for the ban don’t take into consideration many things, such as:
1. Yes, there are certain areas where I see them, but stop and look carefully — there are lots of other items consisting of that litter, not just PGBs. Do you also not see the plastic bottles, cans, newspapers, fast food paper bags, napkins, cups, cardboard, cigarette butts? Those areas aren’t because of PGBs. They are simply not being maintained by neighbors, businesses or municipalities.
2. PGBs are reusable for so many unique things:
•They are a unique size and have handles. No other bags have these features and they tie up so easily.
•Perfect liners for small trash containers in cars (many extras fit under the seat, etc.) — they hold wet and liquid trash well, too.
•Muddy shoes, wet swim suits, etc., when traveling.
•I hang them from my mowers for picking up trash while mowing.
•Picking up dog waste.
•Convenient carry bag for items while at home, travel, hiking, or camping.
•Wrapping items to keep them dust free, i.e. in garages, barns, sheds.
•Ultra-compact — store and transport easily. You can stuff one in your pocket.
•Ubiquitous — everybody has them so they are readily accessible and easy to share.
•They are free.
3. PGBs are recyclable — every grocery store we go to has receptacles for them. The vast majority of what we get goes back to recycling.
After years of alternatives, why do so many people still use them from the grocery store when they are not forced to use them? By banning them, you would inconvenience the majority of responsible citizens, both as the usefulness for their primary design, and for the many reuses mentioned above.
In referencing Aldi (“you’ll have to bring your own bags … people are going to have to adjust …”), Aldi provides boxes or box trays to carry out groceries. Those can end up on the side of the road or in the recycle bin just as easily as PGBs. Will biodegradable alternatives cause less concern of throwing it out the car window or in the landfill? When just one handle breaks on those reusable bags, where does it end up?
Are you going to then apply the same template of banning cigarettes, fast food bags, napkins, plastic bottles, newspapers, etc.? Will littering really decline?
Recycling patterns and habits have really made great strides and that will continue as education, habits and easier recycling patterns evolve. Please stop making new laws that won’t change the habits of litterers. Next, they’ll ask us to bring cloth napkins to fast food restaurants. Could you please just enforce the littering laws? By far, the most common form of intentional littering I see is from some smokers tossing their cigarette butts on the ground — amazing laziness and disregard.
Scott Phillips
Cazenovia
