Reader: Plastic bag ban in Denver would have many negative consequences

By Michael Roberts Wed., Jun. 27 2012 at 10:27 AM

Sam Levin's post about Denver officials considering a ban or fee on plastic grocery store bags got commenters typing.

Here's a response from a reader who expects that such a policy would generate a backlash on a number of fronts.

eCurmudgeon writes:

If Denver does manage to ban plastic bags, the Law of Unintended Consequences is likely going to bite. Hard:
1. Shoppers will skip Denver-based stores in favor of the suburbs.
2. Cases of food poisoning will go up, due to improperly-cleaned "reusable" bags.
3. People are still going to buy plastic bags anyway, for wastebasket liners, litter box dumping, etc.

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Tags:

ban, Denver, plastic bags

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DenCoBoarder

City-wide ban in LA showed a 3% increase in business outside the ban area. All this does is show that the ban should be state wide instead of localized. As far as the worry of unclean bags, are you aware the number of insects which are allowed *inside* of your food? What about the amont of rodents which run over the tops of your soda cans and canned food in warehouses and transportation facilities? Or the person who had their food/unwashed hands on/in your cart right before you? There is no study or scientific backing that shows people who use reusable bags are any more prone to food poisoning or any other illness. A very small amount of reading shows that plastic bags are an idiotic option. Paper IS different because even when not recycled it can decomposed and offer chemical elements to actually assist in the decomposition process; not to mention it can actually get wet and break up not leaving a binding pollutant across the land and seascape like plastic bags do. Also, from a simply rational standpoint, since shopping in some capacity is something everyone does, why is there this asinine perception that you shouldn't be carrying a bag with you?! It makes zero sense from any angle.