Grocery bags are disposable plastic. In my state they cost a few cents each as of a couple of years ago. Reusable bags are common, but it’s also common to forget them and need to buy disposable bags. Most people reuse them as e.g. trash bags for bathrooms.
the us largely does not charge for bags directly, they are a consumable that is part of the store’s customer overhead. At cost each bag is around 3 cents, and probably holds 15 to 50 dollars of merchandise that is being sold at around 2% net profit generally.
people often keep the bags and use them for other stuff, like trash bags or plastic linings or makeshift gloves. not everyone does. it’s wasteful, yes, though on net carbon impact it’s probably lower than plastic reusable bags and many plant fabric ones given a plastic industry exists anyway.
That’s not just a… normal thing to do?
It’s expensive to buy grocery bag bags… And they are super inconvenient to carry on the bus or train or while walking.
Most people don’t in the US, no. In my city there isn’t really functional transit so that’s not really a thing.
How can people afford to pay for plastic bags everytime they shop though that must cost a fortune and it’s inneficient in so many ways.
It’s only a few cents here. But I don’t know because I don’t do it.
Hmmmm. So what happens to the bags after people buy things with them I’m not sure I understand. Why don’t they just stay in the car for next time?
Grocery bags are disposable plastic. In my state they cost a few cents each as of a couple of years ago. Reusable bags are common, but it’s also common to forget them and need to buy disposable bags. Most people reuse them as e.g. trash bags for bathrooms.
So it’s biodegradable material?
I guess bags for the bins makes sense as a reuse strategy.
No, they aren’t made of cellulose or anything, just plastic.
the us largely does not charge for bags directly, they are a consumable that is part of the store’s customer overhead. At cost each bag is around 3 cents, and probably holds 15 to 50 dollars of merchandise that is being sold at around 2% net profit generally.
people often keep the bags and use them for other stuff, like trash bags or plastic linings or makeshift gloves. not everyone does. it’s wasteful, yes, though on net carbon impact it’s probably lower than plastic reusable bags and many plant fabric ones given a plastic industry exists anyway.
Businesses in Florida so not charge for plastic or paper bags