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Should Indiana bag disposable grocery bags?
From Wall St. Journal -
Question: Let's not argue over the question of paper vs. plastic...instead let's consider whether or not we should ban disposable bags altogether in favor of reusable bags. Who's for it? Who's against it? Why? Share your thoughts here
When plastic grocery bags were introduced some 30 years ago, they were touted as light, long-lasting and cheap. They caught on so well that hundreds of billions are dispensed each year, creating a modern menace that often winds up nestled in trees, stuck in sewers and drifting in oceans.
Faced with the growing blight, countries from Ireland to China and cities from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., have moved to ban or tax their use. On Monday, a United Nations official called for outlawing them world-wide. Said Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program: "There is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere."
But nothing is simple in the push to protect the planet. There is growing evidence that the production, use and disposal of plastic bags put less burden on natural resources than paper bags. Meanwhile, a knock against plastic bags -- that they can't be conveniently recycled -- is becoming less persuasive as more cities start accepting plastic bags in curbside recycling programs.
That makes the cash-register question -- paper or plastic? -- more vexing than ever.
Increasingly, cities and states seeking greener grocery stores are proposing taxes on all disposable bags. Seattle and Washington, D.C., are considering imposing fees on both paper and plastic bags. Other places, disinclined to saddle their voters with another prohibition or tax, recently have upgraded their curbside recycling programs to accommodate plastic bags.
Question: Let's not argue over the question of paper vs. plastic...instead let's consider whether or not we should ban disposable bags altogether in favor of reusable bags. Who's for it? Who's against it? Why? Share your thoughts here
Question: Let's not argue over the question of paper vs. plastic...instead let's consider whether or not we should ban disposable bags altogether in favor of reusable bags. Who's for it? Who's against it? Why? Share your thoughts here
When plastic grocery bags were introduced some 30 years ago, they were touted as light, long-lasting and cheap. They caught on so well that hundreds of billions are dispensed each year, creating a modern menace that often winds up nestled in trees, stuck in sewers and drifting in oceans.
Faced with the growing blight, countries from Ireland to China and cities from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., have moved to ban or tax their use. On Monday, a United Nations official called for outlawing them world-wide. Said Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Program: "There is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere."
But nothing is simple in the push to protect the planet. There is growing evidence that the production, use and disposal of plastic bags put less burden on natural resources than paper bags. Meanwhile, a knock against plastic bags -- that they can't be conveniently recycled -- is becoming less persuasive as more cities start accepting plastic bags in curbside recycling programs.
That makes the cash-register question -- paper or plastic? -- more vexing than ever.
Increasingly, cities and states seeking greener grocery stores are proposing taxes on all disposable bags. Seattle and Washington, D.C., are considering imposing fees on both paper and plastic bags. Other places, disinclined to saddle their voters with another prohibition or tax, recently have upgraded their curbside recycling programs to accommodate plastic bags.
Question: Let's not argue over the question of paper vs. plastic...instead let's consider whether or not we should ban disposable bags altogether in favor of reusable bags. Who's for it? Who's against it? Why? Share your thoughts here
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Charlene Burke on -
I'm with you Chris. Though we all live on this planet, I have a hard time believing that my actions affect everyone in this world. I do know that my actions affect those within my community - why? because I can see it first hand. I'm one of those people that believe the more you get government out of our lives, the more the community decides what's best for it's people. America is made up of individuals and I am one of them. Until I see the benefit to me, personally, and my immediate community I do not change my behavior.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on -
"Until I see the benefit to me, personally, and my immediate community I do not change my behavior."
Thanks for your clear, straight-forward honesty.
At least you have the guts to say that your own personal benefit and self-interest drives your choices, not a concern for the health and welfare of people you don't know or will never meet...much less some small fish in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on
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Thanks to you, too, Chris.
Your honesty - though the content is quite disturbing - is refreshing.
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Permalink Reply by Charlene Burke on
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You're welcome. I have always believed that honesty is the best policy. It's interesting that you phrased my way of making choices in my life as "personal benefit and self-interest". I'm sure there are many like me, most people in fact. Why would I spend money I don't have to please people I don't know to help someone who hasn't asked for my help or doesn't need it - if I don't get something from it?
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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on
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"Why would I spend money I don't have to please people I don't know to help someone who hasn't asked for my help or doesn't need it - if I don't get something from it?"
(I'm asking the following questions with sincere interest and curiosity...I'm not trying to be a smartypants.)
Great question. Why would you do something for someone else who hasn't asked for it - maybe someone you'll never meet - when there's nothing in it for you?
Ever heard of enlightened self-interest?
If I believe that my choices DO impact people I don't know, then I am fully empowered to make a difference for people and can live accordingly.
And that's what I choose to believe. I believe that it's true about you, whether you believe it or not...that you can make a HUGE difference in the lives of hundreds - if not thousands - of people whom you'll never know...will never meet...who never even asked for it...
It's just as easy for me to believe that as it is to believe otherwise...that none of it really matters...that what I do has no impact beyond the people I know and my little insular community of beige houses in a former cornfield. It's really easy to stay small and neutered and quiet.
You see, if I don't believe that my choices matter to people outside my sphere - which is what we're taught as "self-made Americans" - then I can shrug it off and let them be victims of their circumstances.
Too bad. So sad. Sorry you had to be born in a brothel in Bombay with AIDS. Darn the luck. There's nothing I can do... :(
We're better than that. As Americans. As human beings. As compassionate people.
But please be sure to put my Twinkies in a plastic bag so they don't slide under the seat of my SUV as I drive back home - alone - from my job that's 40 miles from my house. I wouldn't want to be inconvenienced in any way...
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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on
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Again... you are certainly free to believe anything you wish...
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Permalink Reply by Charlene Burke on
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Shame on you for being a smartpants at the end of your comment ;)
Seriously. I understand that thinking of others is integral to my being an enlightened and empowered human being. I also understand that doing for others is much better than thinking of others. So, my decisions and choices in my daily living often include the volunteer work I do for a local shelter, the time I donate to an organization whose vision and mission I believe in, the monies I donate to organizations that I believe in.
I also believe that no man/woman is an island. That we are all connected spiritually. That each of us can have a positive effect on the energy that we call Life. In that vein, I also believe that I have to do something to make a difference. Just thinking about doing good only benefits me in that I'm the only one who knows what I am thinking. Doing something to help someone else benefits both of us - I know and receive personal growth from the giving, the beneficiary receives that which they need in order to move forward in their life.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on
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If you REALLY believe that we're ALL connected, then what I'm asking you to do is expand your concept of "helping" to include things like:
- making a conscious choice to use fewer plastic - or paper - bags
- buying things with less packaging
- driving less
- recycling more
- buying more locally grown, organic produce
- eating less meat
- buying more efficient appliances
- keeping your thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter
and on and on and on... because you KNOW it matters.
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Permalink Reply by Charlene Burke on
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I already do most of these things. Primarily because it saves me money. Why would you assume that I didn't do these things...and more?
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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on
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Glad you do!
What I'm asking is that you look at those choices not only about saving yourself money, but also as benefiting the other inhabitants of this tiny rock we all live upon.
Maybe you already do that, too. If so...great!
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Permalink Reply by Charlene Burke on
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How interesting. It appears, and I may be wrong, that you are saying that my reasons for doing something are more important than my actually doing something.
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Permalink Reply by Joe Shoemaker on
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I'm not saying that at all. Rather, I'm asking you to consider widening the benefits of your actions to include things that you might not have yet considered.
I won't parse your motives for doing things. That's up to you.
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1. Please use your real name (first and last) when you sign up, or we cannot open your account
2. Please do not use logos or commercial images for your profile photo
3. Events should be posted in the events calendar
4. You can post pretty much anything you want on your own personal page (self promotion, etc), and you can change the style of your personal profile page to reflect your corporate identification if you so choose.
5. Please keep all comments civil and polite. It's OK to feel strongly about a subject, and it's OK to be critical of ideas, but please refrain from personal attacks of any kind.
If you witness or experience any issues, please contact admin@smallerindiana.com and we will look into the matter.
6. Smaller Indiana is supported by its members, and by corporate sponsors. If you're interested in learning more about sponsorship, please call Pat Coyle at 317 332 7878.
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