[BigDaddy]

There is a grocery store here that has stopped offering plastic bags as well. We try to use our reusable cloth bags when ever possible but we are still using plastic for out garbage although I am trying to find an alternative. I saw a reusable bag with the following statement on it the other day:
"When we cut down the last tree
When we poison the last river
When we catch the last fish
We will realize you can't eat money"

It gave me quite the chuckle but it is so true.

[fiona]

In my area there is still a choice between paper, plastic and they have just recently introduced cloth bags in the their markets. So a customer will be guaranteed that they will be able to carry their groceries out in some form. I use the plastic bags store recyclable trash. The bag is recyclable so it all works out together.

[RFL1986]

That seems like it's pretty all right. I recognize that quote from somewhere as well but isn't it a pretty heavy thing to put on a grocery bag? Good sentiment though I guess.

[ammulu]

There isn't any place where I can get to buy any bags instead of plastic bags, so I still continue to buy these trash bags in bulk, I couldn't really help out in regard to this matter. I hope to find some bags in future in my area until then I would continue to use these plastic bags itself can't help.

[ACCER]

My little store plastic bags are used for garbage and then piled in larger garbage bags to be thrown away. I recycle nothing.

Before you form a lynch mob, it's not my fault. You see I live in a town that bans recycling.

No, I'm not kidding.

I drive a Mitsubishi Eclipse. The nearest place I could take stuff to recycle it is about an hour away. I can't get enough into my car to pay for the trip. As for saving up enough and getting a friend with a truck....we have an ordinance of against saving trash...

I live in Southern Illinois. I'm just not so sure I live in America.....

[RFL1986]

Wow. I didn't know there were even North American towns and cities that have banned recycling. What's the logic behind that? Does the whole town just have an aversion toward learning the difference between landfill and recyclable waste? That's incredible.

[stav]

Banning recycling? That is pretty strange. There is a town in the UK, Modbury, that has actually banned plastic bags of any kind, and they have pretty much eliminated them totally from the whole area. Nearly everyone has a cotton, recycled shopping bag of some sort or use baskets, rucksacks etc. Local stores also sell biodegradable cornstarch bags, biodegradable bin bags and even biodegradable bags for doggy poop. It is now at the point where being seen with a plastic bag is considered antisocial behaviour!

maybe that's a bit extreme, but it shows you that it is possible if everyone works together.

[accer]

The "theory":
Saving items to recycle creates a mess and makes for unattractive property. This also attracts rodents and other pests and lowers property values.


The Reality:
The Mayor who did this is the owner of a landfill. At this time of this ordinance, he was working to get EPA approval for this landfill and needed to prove a need for the landfill.

[RFL1986]

What a see through theory that is. Was there a lot of protest about this policy or did the town just go for it? How long has it been like that? Sorry for the questions but I'm really curious as to how this functions.

[Angel]

I'm just stunned by any town banning recycling - how brave of you to post this accer. Can't you and your neighbours get together and educate the mayor??? Landfill will attract far more in the way of rodents and if everyone simply rinses things like cans and milk containers, nothing smells.

Yes it is getting better in the UK but still not enough people paying attention. I wonder if shops started charging for plastic bags if that would make people sit up and pay attention.

I confess I hadn't thought about the tree aspect of the paper bags, so I am glad of my 'green' cloth bags. Mind you, someone is probably making a fortune by producing them!