An outright ban on plastic grocery bags is a mistake.
It is not a simple black-and-white issue. All possible actions and consequences should be fully evaluated – such as the washer/dryer costs for reusable cloth bags, and energy and transport costs for other alternatives.
I believe the solution lies somewhere between free bags and an outright ban.
A five-cent cent charge for plastic was a good start, but it is not sufficient for a mass behaviour change. Also, some stores continue to provide free bags.
I believe the solution lies in “return it,” which is a successful program.
I suggest a 25-cent charge should apply to each bag.
You should get your money back if you return bags (for recycling). A 10-cent charge may not provide enough incentive to return them. The stores could build the cost of the program into their cost base.
Dave Bains
Surrey
