Info on all companies having to sell plastic bags come Jan, 2008.

[rerant]

I didn't know quite where to post this so feel free to move it if you must.

Does anyone know where I might find more information on this?
I live in Ontario and recently my store started selling bags for 5cents a piece, and one cashier has been mentioning that come January everyone is going to have to sell plastic bags, in an effort to reduce plastic bag consumption.
I think this is marvelous, but I don't know how true her information is and have been trying to find more on it.

Unfortunately Google is useless. So has anyone heard anything about this?

[AKWalMartCartGuy]

I feel sorry for our poor cashiers if that ever happens here

[sms001]

one cashier has been mentioning that come January everyone is going to have to sell plastic bags, in an effort to reduce plastic bag consumption.

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/212450

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/loc...ub=TorontoHome

http://www.savetheplanetearth.com/20...stic-bags.html

http://ogov.newswire.ca/ontario/GPOE...=&lang=_e.html

So, as of May 2007 I don't see that it will be mandatory come next year - just that it is a possibility.

[Horsetuna]

man, after the big fus over the smoking ban, Calgary will be up in arms about this.

[Ree]

I haven't heard anything about it being mandatory.
I know our company just did an overhaul of their line of bags, making them more environmentally friendly.

We also came out with a cloth shopping bag in two sizes.

The only problem with the shopping bags is that they make it a little easier for people to shoplift. Many people will walk around with one on their arms instead of using a handbasket or cart, or they will use the basket or cart, but still have the bag over their arm, and it's pretty easy to slip stuff into the shopping bag.

[Fawn]

Its been like this in Ontario for a very long time now. Years even. The stores even sell canvas bags for use instead of plastic bags. Grocery stores have card board boxes for use as well.

Seems only natural to me *shrug*

[PhotoChick]

I can see what your saying Ree. I use the reusable bags and as I'm shopping I just load everything into the bags on my shoulders but I can see how you could just walk out of the store looking like you paid for everything. And while I understand the retailers might not love it, I'm not about to change anytime soon as I have twin 3 month old girls and I can't push the stroller and a cart But I promise when I get to the checkout everything gets paid for.

Off Topic: Anyone else have twins? How do you deal with going to the grocery store?

[Emrld]

I bought an open "basket" this summer and use it when I go to the store . . .
This helps with a few things . . . .
- limits how much I can buy - amount of items/ don't overspend
-store can see in at any time
-know for sure it will fit in the car
-no bag to deal with when I get home
-pick up one extra item to carry in when I get home
-can fold down and be kept in car so have it any time I need

[PuckishOne]

That's a great idea, Emrld...I may have to look into that. Right now, I carry about a dozen reusable shopping bags (paper, canvas and otherwise) in my car at all times, as well as a great organic-cotton shopper for shopping at non-food stores.

As for banning them, San Francisco recently decided to ban all plastic shopping bags within the next year or so (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...NGDROT5QN1.DTL), but there doesn't seem to be any movement from any other cities in North America.

[Emrld]

I do have to admit that in the past I did accept plastic bags . . .however it was done with a purpose and I didn't just throw them away when I unloaded. I have a small dog that I like to take places with me . . .so I keep them for clean up. They also come in handy in the car if I get muddy shoes.
I have made many changes in my life to live more "green" I am not perfect at it . . .and I don't do everything I can. I figure if I do it in baby steps I am more likely to stick with it . . .and something is better than nothing.