HEB Grocery & "Bring your own bags" (Austin: public school, taxes)

[mimimomx3]

Not a big deal, but just want to point out that the bags were never 'free'. The cost was passed on to you by your friendly storekeeper. We're still paying for them, just not getting them anymore.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by Grantsta

There are times when desperation leads to liberal ideas. Also, this is a city government decision, not state nor country mandated, so take it easy.

Statist solutions are statist solutions, no matter who invokes them.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by oldtoiletsmkgdflrpots

How about some of us really reading about the effects of plastic. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to see what is happening to our planet. It isn't a right or left issue, it isn't a "we have a right" issue either. The people clammoring for their "rights" on this board sound more and more like bullies.

Really? Who is the one that wants to inflict their choices on others by the force of law? Doing a little projection?

Besides - accepting you are correct (wouldn't be the first breathless claim of imminent doom - remember alar?) about "plastic", then what was the rationale for banning paper grocery sacks w/o handles?

[scm53]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

There is no ban. It's just that you now have to pay for the bags.

Oh, not quite. There is now a government mandated minimum. The bags that were formerly free are now not available. Try again.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

Huge Garbage Patch Found in Atlantic Too

"Billions of bits of plastic are accumulating in a massive garbage patch in the Atlantic Ocean—a lesser known cousin to the Texas-size trash vortex in the Pacific, scientists say."

There are no strong scientific data concerning the origins of pelagic plastics. The figure that an estimated 80% of the garbage comes from land-based sources and 20% from ships is derived from an unsubstantiated estimate.

Don't let the facts get in the way of a jihad.

[atxcio]

A "government mandated minimum" is actually a pretty good way of describing the "bag ban". Now there is a city regulation of no less than 4mil plastic or paper with handles for bags at stores. Whether they want to charge the customer for them as a direct fee, or roll it into their prices (like the old bags), it's totally up to the store.

I expect that these ubiquitous cheap plastic bags that litter trees and fences will eventually go the way of the soda-can pulltab or styrofoam fast food box. I give it 5 years. I mean, those bags are terrible -- they fly better than a kite with even the slightest wind. They rip easier than tissue paper.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by scm53

Little hyperbole, doncha' think? I'd love to hear how plastic (or paper, in Austin's example) grocery checkout bags are "ruining my chance at raising kids on a healthy earth".

Second, by advocating this, you are saying that the individual cannot be trusted to make "correct" choices. That government must, in this case, remove the option. That there are some ideas that are so good, that they must be made mandatory. That is a statist value system, and if you think that way, you are a liberal - whether you self identify as such or not.

I'd love to see an explanation from you, or the rest of the statist advocates for this, if it is such a great idea, why it has to be mandated by the full force of government?

You see, it's not a 'statist' action. It might be if you had someone with a gun to your head telling you to only bring reusable bags. Alas, this is not the case. If one is so vehemently opposed to trying to help the environment, then one is free to bring in their own thin plastic bags.

[brattpowered]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

You see, it's not a 'statist' action. It might be if you had someone with a gun to your head telling you to only bring reusable bags. Alas, this is not the case. If one is so vehemently opposed to trying to help the environment, then one is free to bring in their own thin plastic bags.

I think reusing thin plastic bags instead of throwing them out or immediately recycling them is pro-helping the environment.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by brattpowered

I think reusing thin plastic bags instead of throwing them out or immediately recycling them is pro-helping the environment.

You see. And if you think that's better, then you can do that. Because it's not against the law for you to bring thin reusable bags to the store.

[camelian]

I don't really mind the ban but the last trip I made to the store, the cashier just piled everything on the counter. I wish they would at least help pack a few things while I'm trying to make the payment. He and the next customer ended up waiting as I hastily threw everything into my bags.