It's just a money grab for city. If they were really interested in saving the environment they would pay money for each plastic or paper bag returned for recycling.

I use canvas bags a majority of the time, but no one is forcing me to with taxation. Good God, "force" is such an ugly word. "Force" and "should" are words that have been used way too much in the last couple of decades by the politically correct nanny state, but I digress. The canvas bags can be easily disinfected in the washer, but to the detriment of store baggers, some people are going to be too lazy to do this often enough.

I don't agree with the city or municipality demanding this -- if the stores want it, they can use the carrot (small discount if you bring your own bag) or the stick (charging for bags).

But I do think it's wrong to refer to reusable bags as "filthy" -- they're only filthy if you don't wash them.

I use reusables about half the time (the other half I get plastic bags for pet poop), and I don't care what the guy behind the counter thinks. Surely handling money is more disgusting than handling a washed canvas bag.

A lot of people don't wash them. And cashiers are left to deal with them. If I worked as a cashier, I'd wear those gloves the TSA thugs and people doing cavity searches at prison do.

Money doesn't have old meat juice on it, just snot and cocaine.

I grew up in Germany, and they've been charging for bags there since the 80's. We used the string bags that didn't collect flotsam on the bottom.

And if you get too skeeved out about germs, you're going to go insane. Think about how filthy your phone is - how often do you wash that? Or your steering wheel or the kitchen sink?

I like to shop at ALDI. They are the only store around here (this is South Carolina after all) that charges for bags. They don't bag your groceries and they don't take checks. Checkout there is faster than any where else. Because ALDI's prices are lower and I have the freedom to shop else where, I am happy to bring my own bags or pay for them. Then again I am a cheap SoB.

They've been doing this in Ottawa for a few years.

I hate the reusable bags, because I never bring them with me and wind up having to pay ten cents a bag anyway. And the reusable ones have to be washed or they stink.

Also, the plastic bags make wonderful garbage bags. I haven't had to buy garbage bags in years. They make awesome pooper scoopers too, especially with german shepherds.

They've banned plastic bags in Austin now. I'm equal distance from a Randal's within Austin city limits, and an HEB in Westlake (a suburb). I prefer the Westlake HEB in general (better produce, cheaper,etc), and I hoard the plastic bags to give to my kid's preschool. The Randal's is on my way home from the office, though, so I stop in there regularly after work. I have the reusable bags. I can deal with it, but it's still a PITA.

"Also, the plastic bags make wonderful garbage bags. I haven't had to buy garbage bags in years. They make awesome pooper scoopers too, especially with german shepherds. "

Yep. In our house, every plastic bag (except the ones that had meat in them, which we toss right away) gets reused at least once. Lunch bags. Small trash can liners. Scooping the cat box. Picking up trash from the yard. Keeping loose parts together on the workbench. Taking on trips to put the dirty clothes in. Magazine swapping. Bags for muddy shoes so they don't get the inside of the car muddy. Et cetera etc.

I went to Sprouts yesterday (kind of a cross between Trader Joe's and Whole Foods) and the cashier asked me whether I wanted paper or plastic. He looked horrified when I said I didn't care. The paper might be more environmentally friendly, but it's going right in the trash when I get home. The plastic is destined to hold kitty litter in its second life.

Hmm. Wait 'til they mandate reusable toilet paper!