So these supposedly eco friendly “dirt bags” need to be washed between uses. But our stormwater police say wash water is “process water.” Bleach and soap – OMG folks, those are pollutants. How do we win, dancing on the head of a pin that gets smaller and smaller?
Wikipedia reports eye-popping information about “green bag” eco-issues and food safety problems:
Reusable shopping bags require more energy to produce than common plastic shopping bags. One reusable bag requires the same amount of energy as an estimated 28 traditional plastic shopping bags or eight paper bags.[1] An unpublished report from the UK's Environment Agency found that when compared to a traditional plastic bag, a canvas or cotton reusable bag would have to be reused a total of 171 times to offset the higher carbon emissions. The same study found however that the average cotton bag is used only 51 times before being thrown away.[2]
Dredging revealed months ago that the EPA rates common lightweight (and recyclable) plastic grocery bags low on the pecking order of waste disposal problems. See this EPA published report saying that plastic shopping bags are not a significant contributor to the nation’s litter stream.
But in characteristic fervor, whatever the truth of the matter, Bellingham city council passed its oppressive “bag ban” in July that not only denies merchants the freedom to select whatever packaging they feel is appropriate, but also commands them to charge us whatever price this omnipotent body believes should be charged for a “recycled paper bag." By this ordinance the city not only assumed vast authority to oversee the free market, it can raise the price for a bag or alter any other condition of this intrusion anytime.
This escapade is so wrong on so many levels WE’re appalled that the public has bumbled along without raising a stir about lost liberty.
Oh well; maybe we're conditioned. Here in Whatcom County what’s a little more creeping oppression based on junk science and dramatic excess? Just another example of more government regulation to fix a problem caused by government for something most people didn't want in the first place - another "kakistocracy" case in point.
WE find that plastic bag bans everywhere are based on falsehoods, half-truths and emotion. Did you catch this absurd show just put on by activist-proponents in Seattle? And Bellingham's proud of the ball it got rolling through the state. Alas.