Re: [GRRN] Plastic shopping bags

steve schell (wisboy@mindspring.com)
Wed, 02 Dec 1998 19:32:32 -0500


Instead of asking for paper or plastic, why not bring a reusable bag of
your own? I realize this isn't the solution for everyone but those of us
who are able to buy less than a cartload of groceries at once can do this.
I have several grocery stores in my neighborhood here in Florida. They all
have plastic and paper and styrofoam (egg cartons, etc) recycling drop-offs
but I find that I can fit quite a bit in a reusable canvas bag and since I
buy mostly fresh items, I am in the store frequently--just buying less at a
time. Then there's no concern about what to do with the bags.

Steve

At 02:25 PM 12/2/98 -0800, Myra Nissen wrote:
>Megan,
>
>Things don't really biodegrate in modern sanitary landfills. Paper vs.
>plastic issue is a complex one. Paper bags are recyclable, but the paper
>markets are poor at this time. Reusable bags are better, even if it is
>just the paper and plastic ones given at the store.
>
>Myra
>
>Megan Fleming wrote:
>>
>> ======== Original Message ========
>> Jeff,
>>
>> My understanding of this situation, in CA anyway, is that 1) it is
>> difficult to prove that the bags are being recycled at all and not
>> thrown away; 2) if they do recycle them, it is very costly because of
>> the time it takes for sorting and processing: Any food debris is a
>> contaminant. Consumers are not good about removing contaminants before
>> recycling. Consumers drop off all of their plastic bags, not just the
>> ones generated from the store offering the program--not all plastic bags
>> are made out of the same polymer and are not compatible for processing
>> together. 3) I know that there have been a number of people who have
>> spotted plastic bags from the store recycling bins in the dumpsters
>> behind the stores.
>>
>> But my information is hearsay. I know there are people out there who may
>> have more direct information for you. The company I work for collects
>> and market film plastic from post-industrial uses -- we experience the
>> same sorts of problems with commingling of polymers and contamination.
>>
>> Myra Nissen
>> The Sutta Co.
>> 1221 Third St.
>> Oakland, CA 94607
>> myracycl@inreach.com
>> http://www.sutta.com
>>
>> Jeff Surfus wrote:
>> >
>> > Greenyes readers:
>> >
>> > I know this has been discussed before, but I am writing an article about
>> > this problem so I need some info if anyone can provide it.
>> >
>> > Recently, the recycling stations here in Southeast Michigan have stopped
>> > accepting any plastic shopping bags. The grocery stores used to have
bins
>> > where empties could be dropped off for recycling. All of this has
>> stopped.
>> > When questioned about this, the standard line the grocery stores or
>> > recycling center operators use is that there is no recycling market for
>> > these bags anymore.
>> >
>> > My questions are:
>> >
>> > Why has the market dried up (or was there ever a market to begin with)?
>> > Once again, have we been sold a bill of goods by the plastics industry as
>> to
>> > the recylability of these bags?
>> >
>> > What can be done with these bags, short of throwing them away, or saving
>> and
>> > reusing them over and over?
>> >
>> > The bottom line is what can the everyday consumer do with these bags?
>> > Unless it can be made really easy for consumers to recycle (e.g. a drop
>> off
>> > bin right inside the grocery store), they are going to throw the bags
>> away.
>> >
>> > Any thoughts or ideas?
>> >
>> > Jeff Surfus
>> >
>> > ***********************************************************************
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>> >
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>> > http://www.grrn.org
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>>
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>> ======== Fwd by: Megan Fleming ========
>> Isn't it just easier to ask for paper, rather than plastic? Aside from the
>> convenient handle attached to plastic bags, aren't there better markets for
>> paper bags? And if they do get tossed in the garbage, don't they biodegrade
>> better?
>>
>> Megan Fleming
>>
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>>
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>> http://www.grrn.org
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>
>***********************************************************************
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>
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>http://www.grrn.org
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>
>