Lift the Ban on Plastic Bags

[Blueplanet]

I began a thread on this subject on March 9 regarding the reusable canvass bags and the potential for the bags to carry the coronavirus. Here is some interesting information regarding the reusable bags:

https://nypost.com/2020/03/14/using-tote-bags-instead-of-plastic-could-help-spread-the-coronavirus/

"The COVID-19 outbreak is giving new meaning to those “sustainable” shopping bags that politicians and environmentalists have been so eager to impose on the public. These reusable tote bags can sustain the COVID-19 and flu viruses — and spread the viruses throughout the store."

Original thread found here:
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213065022

A comment was made in the original thread that the virus can survive on the plastic. End of subject.

However, the stores were using brand new clean bags. Clerks fill the clean bags, customers leave the store.
I've noticed that the clerks are reluctant to handle the reusable bags, they just place the food in the shopping cart, and the customer has to fill their own bags. Also, in a particular store when some customers placed their reusable bags on the conveyor belt, the clerk will promptly disinfect the entire belt after each customer.

I believe the stores should be allowed to use the new clean plastic bags, even if it is just temporary.

[leftieNanner]

1. My city has banned the plastic grocery bags

Paper ones cost a dime. One of my local stores has a sign out front banning the reusable ones. I just carried my items out to the car in my hands.

[Blueplanet]

5. Oh my!

You have to carry your items out in your hands.
I have not noticed any signs prohibiting the reusable ones yet.

[Cartoonist]

9. Reusable hands?

There's an idea!

[thesquanderer]

13. Can't use reusable bags here. It's like the old days, they're back to supplying free paper bags. n/t

[Blueplanet]

16. Good to hear

Paper bags make good kindling.

[delisen]

2. How about paper? nt

[mr_lebowski]

3. That just happened to me at Safeway ... put my bag on the conveyor like I always do ...

She made me take off, fill it myself, and then sanitized the belt.

She was nice about it ... I should've figured out in advance that it was not copacetic.

Mine had been in a closet for two months though so pretty good chance it was all good.

[meadowlander]

4. The virus lives on plastic a lot longer than things like cloth and paper.

Unless the person is shopping every single day, it's extremely unlikely that they are spreading the virus through reusable grocery bags.

Even if they were a problem, single use paper bags would still be better than plastic.

[uppityperson]

6. We should be bagging our own groceries.

[Blueplanet]

10. Bagging our own groceries

I don't mind it at all. It would be much safer if we bagged our own.

But, having some clean plastic bags would be very helpful. I use the little plastic bags they provide at the meat and vegetable counters.
It helps to separate the meat from the vegetables.

[frazzled]

15. I usually bag my own anyway

Unless there is a separate bagger there. I like to pack frozen or chilled things in a thermal bag and the rest in another. I also like to help out the cashier by doing the bagging myself. But I haven't been in a grocery in over a month now.

[Blueplanet]

19. Yes

It is good to have thermal bags for hot and cold items. The bags are inexpensive. Use one bag for cold items and another for items that can take the heat; be it take out or something else you want to keep warm.

[secondwind]

7. COVID virus can survive on plastic for SEVEN DAYS. We toss them away and wipe ourselves all

over, it's the only way.

[Blueplanet]

11. Understood

But your meat and other produce is also packaged in plastic?

[TheBlackAdder]

8. My supermarket used to be a plastic bag collection center, not they refuse to accept them back.

[Princess Turandot]

12. NYS has already pushed back the compliance date on our one-use bag ban until some time in June...

I know that Target says they're now providing paper or plastic bags in NYC without charge. Cashiers will not handle cloth bags but the customers can fill them on their own if they wish to use them.

[Blueplanet]

14. Thank you Princess Turandot!!

Best news I've heard in awhile.

[SharonClark]

17. Our grocery stores do not allow recycle bags

and have closed their bottle and can redemption centers. Some have even closed their customer service areas so no lotto tickets, cigs, and stamps.

[Blueplanet]

18. Oh my!

I've noticed that people are returning their bottles.