So, the Connecticut state legislature is considering a ban on nonbiodegradable plastic bags by 2010.
As you might expect, the local press has a few thoughts on the matter.
For example, consider this comment from the Courant’s op-ed page:
A bill before the General Assembly would prohibit retailers from distributing non-biodegradable plastic bags to customers, and hit them with hefty fines if they do. It might make sense to phase in such a ban, but the goal is worthy.
Disposable plastic bags are a symptom of a society that lives wastefully because it can. For a variety of reasons, from peak oil prices to global warming, we must live more sensibly. Yes, plastic bags are great for lining household wastebaskets and other things. But they are a convenience we can easily live with in moderation.
Meanwhile, The Day offers a bit of common sense as its rebuttal:
And aren’t we facing bigger environmental problems? Why are we still selling Hummers and other gas guzzling cars? Littering is already against the law — how about a little enforcement?
In America, it seems it’s always all or nothing, black or white. No shades of gray.
We don’t have to be purists all the time and we don’t need Uncle Sam monitoring our every move.
Rather than punishing everyone for the recycling indiscretions of a few, can’t we just agree to do a better job than we’re now doing?
I wish I had paid attention to there having been a public hearing on the bill. Because, while I’ve been making the change to reusable shopping bags
Part of that is for reasons mentioned elsewhere—doggy doo cleaning; mini trash bags. However, I don’t recall having heard anyone from the disabled community speak up on the subject.
For folks with limited mobility and/or chronic pain issues, having something small, easy-to-carry, and difficult-to-overload to carry around stuff is a godsend. While there are alternatives, I’m not familiar with any working as well or as being as readily available as the ubiquitous plastic bag.