Raissa's Site

I heard that there is a California bill to impose a 25 cent fee for using plastic bags.  I welcome this because ever since I bought my reusable bag from Target I didn't really feel that I was making a mark because there wasn't much difference between using the reusable bags and their plastic bags other than personal choice.   I actually liked using the reusable bags because the baggers tend to fix the items more so it will fit in the bag rather than just stashing whatever into bags and bags and bags.  This way, I tend to carry just one bag rather than lugging so many bags with me.  Its very convenient.  But I thought when I first brought it that there should be some incentive to those who actually use these bags.  But there is none.  We still pay the same amount so I think its not at all motivating people to use these instead of plastic bags.  Sure, plastic bags are reusable too in some sense since we use them to line our garbage cans but it also come to a point that we just end up with way too many plastic bags and just throw them away.  Where do they end up? At landfills and it gets stuck there.  If this bill will pass, I am all for it.  I think this way people will be more motivated to use reusable bags rather than plastic bags.

BUT, some of my relatives think otherwise.  They think its just the politicians way of getting more money.  They think its political.  Well, everything they don't agree on is political and because of a certain party anyway.  I think they are looking at it from a different perspective.  They look at it as a money-generating scheme rather than a way to help the environment.  They think its a scheme rather than looking at the ramifications brought about by the constant use of plastic bags  I didn't bother to argue with them last night because they wont listen to me anyway.  I am just going to continue with what I do.  My aunt has seen me use my Target reusable bag so she knows I am doing my share.  But I think imposing the 25 cent fee will be so much better.  It will really force people to think twice before they pick plastic when asked at the supermarket or everywhere else.

Aside from using the bag when I go to Target, I have also declined bags when I buy things if I can fit it in my personal bag or if I can carry it.  More so, if they put a tiny, little item in a really huge bag. I tell the sales associate that I will just put the item in my bag.  At the same time, I am planning to buy a Baggu soon.


This way, I really wont have to get plastic bags from stores.  I will still get those pretty paper bags.  Well, I do use them over and over till they split in two.  Or maybe in time, I will even refuse those and just use Baggu for everything. 

I know I wont be able to stop other people from using plastic bags or solely stop pollution and global warming but at least I will do my share in not adding to the depletion of it.  Things are not going to get better in a snap but at least do every little bit possible to improve our environment.