[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Darield

I am amazed that Florida still allows the use of plastic bags in grocery stores. So many other states have banned it. We now have microplastics (very small plastic particles) in our agriculture soil, ocean and just about anywhere you can think of. There are so many studies that verify the dangers of plastics and I cringe every time I go to the grocery store and see 10-20-30 plastic bags per cart. Just one Publics said they can go through thousands of plastic bags in a day. Here is one link that talks about how serious this problem has gotten. It's our new DDT.How microplastics are infiltrating the food you eat . There are now studies beiing done of earthworms ingesting micro-plastics. ScienceDirect

The problem my wife says is that, "the NORTHERNERS do NOT bring their reusable bags with them."

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

One of the main reasons I want to move there is precisely the Covanta plant. No longer have to separate recycling (actually I’ve never done that in the first place - most people don’t understand what makes something recyclable). And now that Covanta does it this way, everything is recyclable! You should be glad that the grocery stores don’t dispense with plastic bags. I come from California (work) where plastic bags have been banned, but they didn’t ban all plastics, which doesn’t make sense, just plastic bags. So the bags you put your produce in, and all the plastics that are used like the plastic rings that bottled (plastic) sodas come in are okay. What??? And nobody at the stores can tell you what is done with the money they collect from bag sales. You think that the state of California uses that money to pick up the bags that are discarded and left blowing in the wind, which is exactly what they were trying to avoid.

This reminds me of what my husband always says about heaven - it’s a fallacy to think you could get a bunch of people living together without someone complaining about something.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

The problem my wife says is that, "the NORTHERNERS do NOT bring their reusable bags with them."

Stereotype random thoughts, upbringing, 10 year study on the subject asking each individual entering with or without bags where were you born and raised?

Or no clue but it’s always good to place blame with little knowledge of facts.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

The problem my wife says is that, "the NORTHERNERS do NOT bring their reusable bags with them."

I would be embarrassed to admit that about my spouse, if that was what my spouse said.

Most "northerners" came from states that already do recycling, already value the idea of re-using plastics rather than disposing of them, and already embrace the idea of cloth bags for dry shelf-stable goods, and thermal bags for refrigerated/frozen/heated goods.

Yes, we waste stuff. We throw things away, we don't grow all our own food and milk our own cows or have chickens who lay our eggs for us here in The Villages. But some of us came from those environments. The "north" is filled with large farms, small farms, off-grid self-sustaining homesteads, people who have compost heaps in their back yards, and so on.

Might want to teach your wife that. Lumping everyone who grew up in the north with blanket statements is a sign of ignorance. If I was your wife and read what you said about me I'd probably have you sleeping in the laundry shed for the next month.

[GWilliams]

Where were these studies when the environmentalists forced us to use paper over plastic? Re-useable bags spread germs.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by GWilliams

Where were these studies when the environmentalists forced us to use paper over plastic? Re-useable bags spread germs.

Not if you clean them. Cloth bags can be put in the washing machine and the dryer. Most people I know use tote bags when they go to the pool - how often do you think they wash those tote bags?

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Keefelane66

It’s not just plastic bags it’s all plastics. We have abandoned recycling in The Villages opting to burn plastics trash to energy.

We did not abandon recycling. Recycling abandoned us. A large part of the recycling bins end up in landfills.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

I needed this one. Thank you for posting this topic. The problem is most stores that have adopted paper over plastic, are not giving you the same integrity of paper like when you grew up. Its recycled and has no durability. There are composite 'plastic' bags available also of recycled material that can handle groceries. How many people I see playing 52 pickup in the parking lots of food chains. Ridiculous. And they charge you for the privilege! To me the cost of any bag should be the cost of doing business...borne by the business. Since I feel I'm a responsible person, I look for stores that offer the recycled plastic option....and dont charge. Strictly on principle. And no, I'm all set with bringing my own bags in...

I bring my own cloth bags. Maybe the sores in Florida should REWARD their customers that bring in their own cloth bags. Maybe something small as a reward like a 3% discount on purchases.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by walterray1

If I don't get my daily plastic fix I go into withdrawal. Just another thing to complain about.

It's NOT complaining when people are posting their solutions to a REAL WORLD problem. Years ago no one wore seat belts. Now no one would think NOT to use them. In the same way people could be made to move away from HARMFUL plastics.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Pondboy

We’ve gotten better at detecting them. Not sure I’d call it hysteria, just clarification on what impact plastic has on us, our environment and future generations.

The oil and gas industry pulled the wool over our eyes by making us believe that plastic was so much better than paper. Here we are 20 years later with all types of particulates floating in our oceans and blood streams. It’s bad for the environment, no matter how you look at it.

Thanks to the OP for posting it. I’ve brought my own bags to the grocery stores for years instead of using plastic ones provided. Europeans have been doing it for decades.

I hope that more people will understand how harmful plastic is to the environment. Future generations will look back upon us and wonder how we could be so stupid.

I hope your not still using Teflon cookware….thats more crap that’s poisoned us….

So, looks like the Oil and Gas industry has messed up America in more ways than one. As to Teflon coated pans - apparently cast iron cookware is superior in every way. Funny how sometimes the best solution is to look backwards toward the OLDER time tested methods.
.......I wonder if the US Amish population have less micro particles floating around in their blood streams. I imagine that they avoid PLASTICS as much as possible.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Pugchief

If they are a volunteer, why would they expect a tip? And why do you feel obligated to offer one? Very generous of you, but seems contrary to the spirit of volunteer work.

I hate the whole concept of tips. Very old-fashion! A restaurant or other business should pay their people and have "NO TIPPING" signs on their doors and everywhere, until that STUPID system is abolished!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Question

Truthfully, I am not concerned about the environment. I use the free plastic bags at Publix and throw them away. But, I am not a snowbird who heats, cools, and maintains two houses year round. I don't have anything against snowbirds, but isn't that worse for the environment than using plastic grocery bags?

A perfect example of the word, "rationalization"! I will continue doing something wrong for the environment (using plastic bags) BECAUSE........and then I will express some example of something that I find WORSE (like commuting between 2 homes).
........It is ALMOST like saying, "maybe I did rob someone of some money, but at least, I did NOT kill them".

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I bring my own cloth bags. Maybe the sores in Florida should REWARD their customers that bring in their own cloth bags. Maybe something small as a reward like a 3% discount on purchases.

Unfortunately 3% is not a "small" reward. For many of the larger stores 3% is the profit margin.

I do like the "reward" idea though...maybe open the store 1/2 hour early for all those with cloth bags? Pick out one item on a selected rack for every (say) $40 that you spend shopping that trip? Something along those lines.

[Marine1974]

Originally Posted by Darield

I am amazed that Florida still allows the use of plastic bags in grocery stores. So many other states have banned it. We now have microplastics (very small plastic particles) in our agriculture soil, ocean and just about anywhere you can think of. There are so many studies that verify the dangers of plastics and I cringe every time I go to the grocery store and see 10-20-30 plastic bags per cart. Just one Publics said they can go through thousands of plastic bags in a day. Here is one link that talks about how serious this problem has gotten. It's our new DDT.How microplastics are infiltrating the food you eat . There are now studies beiing done of earthworms ingesting micro-plastics. ScienceDirect

Do you not use plastic bags in your trash receptacle in your house ?
What is your trash and recycling
bins made of ?
Do you not drive a car with plastic
components in it ?
Do you use bath towels with a blend of cotton and plastic ?
How about your washer and dryer , any plastic ?
How bout paper towels ?
Golf cart ?
Shoes ?
Clothing ?
You might rethink what you’re buying .if your really concerned about plastics in
Our environment. .
Not meant to be disrespectful, most people don’t realize what
items in our houses and cars are made out of plastic , besides grocery bags .

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Gpsma

But how can we pick up dog and cat poop without plastic bags!!

You buy an old ladies purse and also carry around a garden tool. Then put the droppings in the garbage if you want. Personally, if i had a dog, I would put the dropping around flowers or some other plant around my house as fertilizer.