Ald. Moreno Suggests Ban on Plastic Bags

shookiemookie

Ald. Proco Joe Moreno (1st Ward) is proposing the city ban plastic bags and fine stores for providing them to cut down costs on clean-up and raise money from scofflaws. Moreno suggests big retailers be fined $150 to $250 for issuing plastic bags, but there was no mention of small business. The urban tumbleweeds are everywhere you turn, whether they're trapped in a tree, sucked into vents or blowing in the breeze like American Beauty CBS2 writes:

The billions of bags used in Chicago are not merely eyesores, Moreno argues. To make them takes 12 million barrels of oil each year, and they’re difficult to recycle. Plus, they can clog up the sewer system.

“I went out and talked to the guys that actually do it,” Moreno says. “They pull out hundreds of plastic bags out of our sewers. So, it’s costing the city money.”

There has been momentum building to join the ranks of Los Angeles and San Francisco in banning plastic bags for some time. (Austin is also toying with the idea of a ban.) Earlier this year Jewel-Osco announced they would start training their baggers not to double-bag groceries to cut waste. Plastic bags have been banned from farmers' markets since 2008. Our neighbors to the north in Evanston are considering a ban, also.

By the way, if you have a pile of bags stuffed in your kitchen cabinet (Who doesn't?), we have a crafty idea for crochet-ers on how you can use them.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@chicagoist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Samantha Abernethy in News on October 14, 2011 4:20 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

twocee

As others have noted, those plastic bags do get re-used by some of us. I use them to dispose of cat litter.

I haven't bought a garbage bag in going on 10 years, because I use the plastic grocery bags as trash bags. My parents use the paper grocery bags (they can still get them where they live) as garbage bags. There are ways to make the bags useful after you get them home (without resorting to crocheting needles :).

ScooterLibbby

My mass of plastic grocery bags goes for picking up my dog's shit!

BlueFairlane

I use my mass of grocery plastic bags for garbage, as I think they're more environmentally-friendly than the two-ply giant megabags manufactured for the sole purpose of making sure your trash doesn't decay. A ban would eliminate that source and force me to buy heavy-duty plastic I wouldn't otherwise buy.

unicornrainbow

While i'm a fan of less government regulations, i have no problem with this. Not sure if fining the store is the right answer, but i like the idea.

Clarence Ewing

Government over-regulation is a political myth perpetuated by Conservatives who want to get on the government payroll.

Sometimes government regulations are a good thing. Banning plastic bags would be a good use of them.