“Paper or Plastic?”

7.04.2008 by Savvy Suzy

It appears, that in honor of 4th of July, I’m taking to a national past time…ranting. I plan on using the new “All American soapbox”…a blog…to get up and rant about things I have issues with. One of those issues, the big ongoing debate: “Paper or plastic?” Do you get asked that question every time you go to the supermarket/grocery store? I used to get asked all the time, but it has subsided somewhat in recent months. The question is starting to heat up.

Courtesy of dizzydesign.com

On Earth Day, I was stopped by a young lady, standing in front of the store, asking me to bring a reusable bag when I go. I told her It’s not always feasible for me to do that. You see…I like to buy in volume…most times when I shop. I would not like to schlepp around with several of these dirty bags (I’d have to use water, energy and detergent to keep them clean, otherwise.)

I don’t mind taking one freezer type bag, which I do, but usually I do say paper for other stuff. Although, I’ve taken plastic from time to time, too. Sometimes the baggers don’t even ask…they just go ahead and give plastic.

I was wondering why they couldn’t come out with a combination type bag, that would disintegrate, so they could stop nagging us with the question? What do you know, Whole Foods must have heard me. They changed over to that type of bag in April. Bravo! I suppose they just include it in the cost of groceries. However, they need to talk to these other folks who want to charge the “Regular Folks”… us customers, instead of having the grocer incur the costs within the overall grocery operation. It’s the same old question of “Paper or plastic?”, with a different twist: “Would you pay 25 cents for a grocery bag?”

Whole Food Answering The Call

About.com: “Whole Foods Pledges to Stop Using Plastic Bags”
North County Times: “Whole Food Bans The Bag”

Soapboxes Sudsing Up

Washington Post: “Paper or Plastic?”
Delicious Living Magazine: “Paper Or Plastic?”
MSNBC.com: “Paper or plastic — what’s the greener choice?”
Slate: “Paper or Plastic … or Neither”
TIME: “Paper, Plastic or Prada?”
Smart Money: “Businesses Reward Those Opting Out of Paper, Plastic”

Seattlepi.com: “Paper or plastic? You may pay 20 cents either way”