Comments on: Paper or plastic?

By: chsw

chsw — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:05:24 +0000

I tell the cashier or bagger to put the paper bag inside of the plastic bag. That combination is stronger than plastic inside paper or plastic alone.

chsw

By: long_rifle

long_rifle — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:46:25 +0000

If they ask me I say “both”.

I’ll have them use plastic bags, then drop them in paper bags.

I use the plastic ones in the bathroom, and the paper ones for separating the brass cases when I go shooting, it makes reloading later on much easier.

By: TMA

TMA — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:37:54 +0000

David C.: I think the reality is a lot more mixed than that — there are good and bad environmental aspects to both plastic bags and paper bags; see http://www.greenfeet.net/newsletter/debate.shtml
for one fairly balanced assessment.
personally, we’re about to lose plastic bags at our supermarket and I’ll miss them — I’ll have to start buying plastic bags to line the kitchen and bathroom wastebaskets, so I’m not getting much savings in plastic consumption…

By: David Charlap

David Charlap — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:54:31 +0000

Zee: Trees grow back. The paper companies re-plant them by the millions. Paper is bio-degradable, easily recyclable and doesn’t injure animals that eat it. Paper bags also hold more without falling apart, so you don’t need to use as many.

Plastic bags were adopted for one reason: they are cheap. And with the price of oil these days, even that probably isn’t true anymore.

As for the question at the check-out line, I can’t remember the last time anybody here even asked.

By: Alex Bensky

Alex Bensky — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:12:09 +0000

My usual response to that question is, “Surprise me.” Of course, I am tempted to respond to, “Have a nice day” with “Thanks but I have other plans.”

Of course, at the restaurant when they ask if I have reservations, I want to respond, “I do, but I’m going to eat here anyway.”

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 09:13:59 +0000

I stopped at the supermarket the other day and they asked me if I wanted my milk in a bag. Seriously. I told her to leave it in the jug! After all, you have to pay for it, and I doubt that flimsy plastic bag would hold a gallon of milk, and anyway, how would you put it in the fridge?

People are always asking me stupid questions. They asked me today at the pizza place if I had a pick-up! I said “No, just a car… why?”

Robert

By: Zee

Zee — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 05:26:01 +0000

You may not have the choice for long. Banning plastic bags to “save the environment” is starting to catch on. I guess cutting down trees to make paper bags is “greener”.