I don't have a link but this has been on the news a fair bit, seems the UK will be banning plastic bags. Does anyone have a link to an online article about this?

I found an article relating to this:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/13/london_bag_ban/

Seems as if the ban hasn't taken effect yet, but may be very close.

Thanks,

Gabe

I took a look at this article and, while it bans plastic bags, it doesn't say what bags will be included in the ban.  Some bags appear to be plastic, like those actually made of acetate.

I am sure there is more information somewhere but I think it's a good move for the environment. 

 I think that this is a good move. I had not heard that they were going as far as outlawing them but to be honest I wish we would do something like that here in the states.

This is a great idea I always try and buy the bags for life when in big supermarkets as it makes me feel as though im doing my bit!

But how awfull is it all the packaging you get with you shopping disgracefull!

tater03:

 I think that this is a good move. I had not heard that they were going as far as outlawing them but to be honest I wish we would do something like that here in the states.

How did plastic bags become preferred over paper?  I know that roaches love brown paper bags and cardboard for breeding purposes.  Could bans on plastic bags lead to more cockroach infestations?

Don't get me wrong, I think plastic bags are probably more expensive than paper and are unnecessary, but there must e a reason plastic bags started being used. 

Yes, very true... the thing that bugs me most and I've mentioned it to the packers a few times, is how they put just a few things into one package.  I often come home with double the amount of bags that I'd actually need.

The plastic bags at our grocery stores are so small you can only put about 4 medium sized items in them! Such a waste. 

 When plastic bags are outlawed, only outlaws will have plastic bags....

,-)

greenbaglady:

I read once that paper bags are actually worse for the environment--they take longer to decompose then plastic shopping bags. And people can reuse plastic bags for other things--trash bags (we do this putting a target or walmart bag in our small bathroom trash can) or taking used plastic bags back to the store and asking the carry-out kid to put groceries back in used plastic bags (we do this as well and it works out well) And someone asked when they introduced plastic shopping bags--department stores introduced them in the mid 1970s and then in the 1980s they were widely used in grocery stores.

It may well be that plastic started out as a reusable bag, and we do reuse them for garbage bags in the home.  Unfortunately, most people don't take the plastic bags with them on return shopping trips. 

 I can't imagine how a plastic bag would decompose faster than a paper bag.  Plastic is nonporous so that moisture can't get between the fibers and start the decaying process.  Where did you see the article or news story that said that?
 

 yeah a friend told me bout it she discovered it during a business trip in uk and was amazed it works. people are all bringing a reusable bags with them everytime they hit the grocery store. and i read about them selling there plastic waste to Hong Kong. The later are the one in charge to convert the waste into useful form

  Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
Recycle.plant trees.for the earth to be green in 2010.
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