Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2315589)

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.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2315668)

If I had a spare $12,000 laying around, I might think seriously about becoming an upside-down flower pot helping to save coral reefs and allowing fish to swim by. Might be a pleasant view. Beats ending up as a bunch of ashes eventually tossed away.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2315640)

Plastic eyeglasses do NOT blow around like lightweight plastic grocery bags.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2315589)

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.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2315678)

Just an example of plastic "hiding in plain sight", so to speak. Most folks have no real idea of just how pervasive plastics are in the big scheme of things.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2315646)

Plastic containers like say for apple sauce do NOT BLOW AROUND and end up in oceans and local lakes as much as lightweight plastic bags.

Originally Posted by GWilliams (Post 2315595)

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

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2315673)

Donations are pouring in right now to accommodate your wish!

(Just messing with ya....neighbor!) ;)

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive (Post 2315628)

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.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2315649)

Yes, that IS what I agree with!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2315641)

Any guesses on how many times the ‘N’ word (Northerners) is used in this household! Smh

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2315673)

Donations are pouring in right now to accommodate your wish!

(Just messing with ya....neighbor!) ;)

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2315329)

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?

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2315650)

I was addressing the thread topic, which was that the OP wants the State of Florida to pass a law banning plastic grocery bags to improve the environment. That would eliminate a personal choice to use or to not use the bags. I was just pointing out that other choices people make are obviously worse for the environment than using plastic bags. Also, there are some studies that show that banning plastic bags does not improve the environment. I think people should be allowed to make their own decisions. So, I am not in favor of a new state law.

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 2315650)

I was addressing the thread topic, which was that the OP wants the State of Florida to pass a law banning plastic grocery bags to improve the environment. That would eliminate a personal choice to use or to not use the bags. I was just pointing out that other choices people make are obviously worse for the environment than using plastic bags. Also, there are some studies that show that banning plastic bags does not improve the environment. I think people should be allowed to make their own decisions. So, I am not in favor of a new state law.

Originally Posted by Darield (Post 2315288)

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

Originally Posted by Darield (Post 2315288)

I am amazed that Florida still allows the use of plastic bags in grocery stores.

Originally Posted by Canada friends (Post 2315514)

I’m from Canada and we are eliminating plastic bags.. When I come to the Villages I’m so disappointed that stores especially Walmart continue to use plastic bags…Why is it that people can spend $400.00 at Costco who don’t offer bags and don’t have an issue…then go to Walmart and use 10 bags for a $50.00 order…Hello people don’t you see what these bags are doing to the environment…

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2315668)

If I had a spare $12,000 laying around, I might think seriously about becoming an upside-down flower pot helping to save coral reefs and allowing fish to swim by. Might be a pleasant view. Beats ending up as a bunch of ashes eventually tossed away.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2315634)

The problem with plastic bags is not just "a few grams of plastic". The problem is that the lightweight plastic bags get blown around into our local lakes and even the Gulf of Mexico - where they cause problems (even death) for birds, fish, and mammals.
.........Then they can decompose and create these micro-particles that NEVER decompose and are ending up messing up earthworms, which are very IMPORTANT to agriculture. Then they end up in carrots and other root crops and then into human beings - where they are producing un-researched problems.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2315721)

Again, it's NOT THE BAG, it's how people dispose of them. I've never seen a plastic grocery bag free itself from a sealed trash bag and blow itself into the ocean, have you??? And these plasma burn plants don't leave microparticles for earthworms.

Originally Posted by HORNET (Post 2315706)

why worry about the bags, what about the water bottles, deli-food in plastic, bread in plastic, frozen foods in plastic, fruits and vegetables in plastic, ETC! So what’s your point? Maybe if they would come out with Organic Plastic Bags!

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2315725)

Office hours. The GE Doctor is in! ;)

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2315731)

Seen plastic bags fall(?) From boats/ships and, with the help of wave action, various types of sealife, the bags open in short order and contents are dispersed. Happens often, sad to say. The problem is international.

Dear Shipping,
My response was actually to the good Dr. My error.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2315731)

Seen plastic bags fall(?) From boats/ships and, with the help of wave action, various types of sealife, the bags open in short order and contents are dispersed. Happens often, sad to say. The problem is international.

Dear Shipping,
My response was actually to the good Dr. My error.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2315715)

Hello! It's not what the bags are doing, it's what the people who inappropriately discard them are doing

Originally Posted by Pondboy (Post 2315318)

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….

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2315738)

Ever see a plastic bag properly secured on a boat, say in a cabinet, jump out all by itself????

Originally Posted by LeRoySmith (Post 2315742)

sort of like banning guns because they kill people

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2315721)

Again, it's NOT THE BAG, it's how people dispose of them. I've never seen a plastic grocery bag free itself from a sealed trash bag and blow itself into the ocean, have you??? And these plasma burn plants don't leave microparticles for earthworms.

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston (Post 2315747)

Certain macro doses of certain substances would make that a possibility for some....no Dr.?! ;)

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2315609)

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.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2315738)

Ever see a plastic bag properly secured on a boat, say in a cabinet, jump out all by itself????

Originally Posted by crazygery (Post 2315482)

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2315637)

Nearly all roaches brought into house are from shopping at grocery stores and it not bags that put grocery’s in how they’re getting in.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2315752)

Exactly like that!. I can pose the same question about guns that the anti plastic bag posters refuse to answer.

Has anyone ever seen a gun unlock itself from a gun safe, load itself with ammunition from a locked draw, float out to a phone, call an Uber, direct the driver to a school, church or movie theater, float out to the building then hover in midair and shoot a bunch of people???? ANYONE????EVER????

Because I've never seen a properly discarded or stored plastic grocery bag free itself and throw itself into the ocean. NEVER.

Originally Posted by Darield (Post 2315288)

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

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2315780)

To your middle paragraph. Not many people sit around and watch stored guns. But, (you knew there would be a but) no matter how well guns or ammo are locked up, an awful lot of them seem to end up in the hands of folks who use them to intentionally do a lot of harm and bad stuff. What do you think we, as a God loving, peace loving country ought to do to stop guns from being used in this reprehensible manner?

Originally Posted by cjrjck (Post 2315697)

And you clearly do not worship at the alter of "Science" tology like many do today.