# This stupid fucking bag ban in California **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 27, 2016, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112 "2016-11-27T00:02:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/221 "2016-12-03T21:28:59Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > Are you saying there absolutely NO plastic bags or wrappers or non-porous containers in your home whatsoever. B/c if those bags are to line a non-porous container, you don’t need them. Empty the container in the trash wherever it goes after it leaves your home daily and then rinse out the container. If what you need to toss is wet/smelly/broken glass, go toss it straight in the outside/communal trash. > As someone who’s cleaned hundred of houses in her lifetime, I can tell you the typical home’s trash isn’t a festering stench pool that must be contained in a plastic bag or everyone in the home is inconvenienced/poisoned. > Got lady-product waste? Put it in the provided wrapper and put it in a cardboard box you empty in the outside trash in the next 24 hours. > Used needles have their own dedicated sharps containers. > I’m not trying to be nosy, but what are you tossing that requires sitting in a plastic bag first? In some places, you have to put all your trash in plastic bags before it will be collected. I know this because I live in one of those places. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2016, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/222 "2016-12-03T22:56:40Z")
> [@susan](#): > > A 10¢ charge doesn’t sound unreasonable under those circumstances. Not for most normal people, but there were also allegations that this affects the poor regressively. The issue I have with it is that it’s a Band-Aid and not a cure. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/223 "2016-12-04T02:16:54Z")
> [@susan](#): > > Okay, then I don’t understand what’s difficult about carrying your previously-used plastic bags wadded up in your pocket when you’re going shopping. People manage to carry a lot of plastic dog poop bags in their pockets. Some of them have dog poop in them, yet that seems not to be a problem. > [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > Where I come from, carrying random plastic bags in your pocket is something crazy hoarder type people do. Did you forget we were on the SDMB? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/224 "2016-12-04T02:55:47Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > A lot of people don’t carry backpacks, purses, or briefcases. Banana oil! I know for a fact that all SDMB people carry a bag or a backpack, because where else would we all carry the books we’re currently reading? You can’t tell ME you leave your house without at least one book. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/225 "2016-12-04T03:24:25Z")
These days the only “book” I leave home with is my kindle… … but yeah, I still carry it in a bag. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/226 "2016-12-04T03:30:20Z")
A Kindle counts as a book. I wish I could get used to them. When I go out I always need one book plus at LEAST one Emergency Backup Book, in case book #1 suddenly proves unsatisfying in the middle of a long subway ride. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/227 "2016-12-04T07:40:36Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Did you forget we were on the SDMB? 😛 Briefly, yes. I know, a rookie mistake. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Scribble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scribble/32/3317_2.png) [@Scribble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scribble)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/228 "2016-12-04T08:01:42Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Banana oil! > > I know for a fact that all SDMB people carry a bag or a backpack, because where else would we all carry the books we’re currently reading? > > You can’t tell ME you leave your house without at least one book. Actually, I just use my phone. It has a bunch of podcasts on it. I can’t read while I’m in transit; I end up feeling seasick. Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/229 "2016-12-04T08:50:20Z")
> [@Ruken](#): > > Never mind that not everyone has the option of taking out loose trash. My building doesn’t provide access to the dumpster and forbids loose trash down the chute. My hometowns (yes, I have several) forbid loose trash in the dumpsters but still want it separated; different towns separate different groups. There will be further separation at the trash treatment plant. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2016, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/230 "2016-12-04T09:26:10Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Banana oil! > > I know for a fact that all SDMB people carry a bag or a backpack, because where else would we all carry the books we’re currently reading? > > You can’t tell ME you leave your house without at least one book. I have a Kindle app on my phone. I can stick it in my pocket. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/231 "2016-12-05T20:58:17Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > … > I’m not trying to be nosy, but what are you tossing that requires sitting in a plastic bag first? Used kitty litter. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/232 "2016-12-05T21:12:10Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Used kitty litter. Paper bag, plain Kraft or waxed; I preferred the waxed myself, gave me all the time I needed to get to the outside trash. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/233 "2016-12-06T14:08:32Z")
1. I’d have to buy those 2. I’m dubious they are any less resource intensive than a thin plastic bag. Also, my bag has to hold up for a week. I use it to line the trash can next to the litter boxes. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/234 "2016-12-06T18:48:43Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > 1. I’d have to buy those > 2. I’m dubious they are any less resource intensive than a thin plastic bag. > > Also, my bag has to hold up for a week. I use it to line the trash can next to the litter boxes. I don’t know about resource intensive, but it will break down a lot faster in a landfill than a plastic bag and should have less of an environmental impact. Since you’re emptying a trash can daily into another trash can, why line it? The can is the liner, is my point. Double containment is where overkill starts. We don’t line outside trash cans, do we? ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/235 "2016-12-06T19:05:51Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > OK, so _if_ someone forgets or neglects to bring their own bag, and _if_ they’re getting more items than they can easily carry without a bag, and _if_ they’re not using food stamps, then they have to pay a fee equivalent to 36 seconds of labor? And this is what you’re getting so upset about? Man, I wish that were the worst problem I had to worry about. Even better. **If** they forget their reusable bags **AND** they’re getting more items than they can easily carry without a bag **AND** they’re not using food stamps **AND** they’re buying something other than “meat, bread, produce, bulk food, and perishable items” **THEN** they have to pay a dime! for every bag! ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/236 "2016-12-06T19:09:17Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Certainly, because whenever I go on holiday somewhere, the first thing I do when I arrive is go out grocery shopping, preferably to an authentic farmer’s market where I can get a couple of live chickens, and then I bring it all back to … wait, where do you stay when you’re on holiday? Is it weird that we actually do usually shop at local farmer’s markets when on vacation? Most of them have prepared foods, or Korean Taco Trucks, or both. We’ve stayed at a few AirBNB’s in the past couple of years and having access to farmer’s markets for groceries is a big plus. Admittedly, haven’t bought any live chickens yet… ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/237 "2016-12-06T19:17:58Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > Used kitty litter. > > Paper bag, plain Kraft or waxed; I preferred the waxed myself, gave me all the time I needed to get to the outside trash. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > 1. I’d have to buy those > 2. I’m dubious they are any less resource intensive than a thin plastic bag. > > Also, my bag has to hold up for a week. I use it to line the trash can next to the litter boxes. Presumably, if you’re talking about needing to dispose of used kitty litter, you own a cat. For which you need to buy food, toys and, of course, kitty litter (not to mention vet fees). But you’re quibbling over the cost of the bags needed to dispose of the kitty litter? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/238 "2016-12-06T20:45:17Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > I don’t know about resource intensive, but it will break down a lot faster in a landfill than a plastic bag and should have less of an environmental impact. > Since you’re emptying a trash can daily into another trash can, why line it? The can is the liner, is my point. Double containment is where overkill starts. We don’t line outside trash cans, do we? Things don’t break down in land fills. newspaper is apparently readable decades after. Plastic bags are a problem when they blow into the ocean, and they are ugly stuck on tree branches, but I don’t think they cause any particular problems in land fills. And no, I’m not emptying the trash can daily, I’m removing waste from the litter box daily, then it sits in a trash can that has a lid until I empty it into the garage trash can. It typically sits about a week next to the litter box. And yes, I line the outside trash can. I’m required to, in fact. But even if I weren’t, I would line it. Otherwise it would soon stink to high heaven and I’d want to replace the whole trash can. Frequently. Bad enough that it gets a little stinky near trash day. And it doesn’t live “outside”, it lives in my garage and I walk past it frequently. Why do you think they sell large trash bags? > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Presumably, if you’re talking about needing to dispose of used kitty litter, you own a cat. For which you need to buy food, toys and, of course, kitty litter (not to mention vet fees). But you’re quibbling over the cost of the bags needed to dispose of the kitty litter? No, of course not. I didn’t pit the bag ban. But I am facing a bag ban soon, and I’m mildly grumpy because I do expect to end up buying bags to replace the ones I currently get free. I reuse most of my bags, and I only get new ones from the supermarket when my supply is running low. So I expect to throw away exactly as many bags post ban as now. It’s not a huge deal, but I don’t see many bags littering the streets, and I do use the bags, so the ban will be a minor net negative for me. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/239 "2016-12-06T22:32:53Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > We don’t line outside trash cans, do we? We most certainly do; I’ve seen countless lined outside rubbish bins in my travels around Queensland and the rest of Australia. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2016, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112/240 "2016-12-06T22:57:25Z")
> [@Martini\_Enfield](#): > > We most certainly do; I’ve seen countless lined outside rubbish bins in my travels around Queensland and the rest of Australia. IME I’ve only ever seen a 32 gallon (or larger) can lined if it’s on a job site, never for a household’s curbside trash. It would have to be thick plastic to hold that much weight when lifted and that would mean whatever is inside couldn’t be expected to break down for even longer. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-stupid-fucking-bag-ban-in-california/773112.md?page=13)