SF Plastic bag ban starts tomorrow

[Jungle Red]

I know a lot of you guys aren't from San Francisco, but a new law starts tomorrow that is making all retailers to charge at least $.10 per bag used. This is to get customers to start using reusable tote bags.

There are a few exceptions, but not many.

From the article, "For example, plastic garment bags at clothing stores and laundry mats can still be given to customers for free. The same goes for the small plastic bags used for produce, fish and meat in the grocery store and the plastic wrap on newspapers to protect them from the elements."

I usually have my backpack with me, so I will be able to save the a dime. On one of the fliers my old store had, it said that the customer received a ten cent discount if he or she brought their own bag. That isn't in the article though.
From SFGate

[capnkidd]

I wish other cities would do this. I use my backpack also. It's far less likely to break, to boot :)

[AEA AGMA SM]

I know at one point Whole Foods would offer the ten cents off if you brought your own bag, but I don't know if they still do.

[Addison D.]

The Whole Foods in Manhattan still do--not sure about others. I've also been happy to see similar 'rebate' programs at some of the other, less aggressively "green" supermarkets around town.

[Reginald Tresilian]

I realized a few years ago that it's just the easiest thing in the world to do.

My supermarket gives away tote bags at least once at year that fold up and snap so they're the size of a wallet. They're not the most spacious, but it's so easy to keep one in my shoulder bag. Then I have larger canvas ones if I'm going to the market straight from home.

[Roscoe]

I wish they'd ban plastic bags in theaters -- that goddamn rustling noise just drives me up the wall, and there's always at least one moron rooting around in them during important scenes.

[yodamarie78]

Target gives a 5 cent discount for every reusable bag you bring in. I'm always a little surprised by how few people I see bringing their own bags, especially since moving away from New York. It is so easy to just keep bags in the car and take them in with me when I go to the grocery store. Plus they hold much more than the flimsy plastic bags, carrying two or three bags into the house is much better than 10.

[sabrelady]

We did this in TO several yrs ago. HUGH drop in use and the resultant transfer to land fill. Just find out where the dang dime goes- that was the problrem here. Some kept the nickel for theyselves - some sent it to charity. NOW we're slated for a full ban in jan- not sure how well that will work esp as u go just north of Steeles and u r in another municipality and bags is everywhere. Still, every bit helps.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Love that we're moving towards this direction, hope that it sticks and spreads. I think reusable backs tend to be so much more practical anyway.
And Roscoe, I totally agree with you!

[EricMontreal22]

It's been the situation in this part of BC for 5 years or so. I admit, sometimes it took some getting used to (I usually shop after work, when I have my backpack, and I have some re-usable bags, but I would always forget to bring them), but it's not been a big adjustment, and as others have said, it's a change in the right direction

[Jungle Red]

"It is so easy to just keep bags in the car..."

I'm a San Franciscan, and I, and most others, don't drive. I take my empty backpack to Safeway and I reuse the old paperbags as trashbags.

I disagree with the line that says something about it being a health hazard. None of my friends will ever use their gym bag as their Safeway bag. That's nasty.