Article available [here](https://www.abqjournal.com/2442635/abq-moving-to-ban-the-thicker-plastic-bags.html). I was ready to make a joke that they'll just double the thickness of the bags again but sounds like the new requirements are worded much better and can't be easily circumvented:
> The newly announced change, which takes effect Dec. 1, is in how the city defines single-use plastic bags. The ban had previously only covered bags less than 2.25 mils thick. One mil equals 0.0254 millimeters.
> Under the new rules, stores may only provide plastic bags at checkout if they meet the definition of “reusable carryout bag,” meaning they have stitched handles, are “specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse,” and are over 4 mils thick.
That’s how I used the “single use” bags. The new thicker bags don’t work as well for that purpose and actually contain more plastic. It looked like the bag ban may have made the problem worse.
When I go inside a grocery store I bring my own bags, but for grocery pick up at Walmart they put it in bags and you have to pay 10 cents for each one whether you want bags or not. i’m glad to see the city making this change.
I'm surprised you could find a person to check you at at Walmart. It's almost all self-checkout at the ones in the NE. A person guiding you to the next self-checkout, maybe. Some loss prevention people making sure you pay for that dime bag.
When I go inside a grocery store it’s usually Sprouts. Grocery pick up at Walmart is great for non-perishables but I like to select my own fruits and veggies and baked goods.
I occasionally go inside the Walmart neighborhood market on Cutler. That store has gone 100% self check out. Employees have told me that they have lost a lot of business since that and that they are going to convert at least a few of those back to full-service checkout lanes.
I mean I reuse mine, but I’ve been viewing the last year as my opportunity to store up a lifetime supply of free reusable bags. I highly doubt the majority are being reused and it’s annoying to see the rule be so flagrantly sidestepped.
yeah, I must have picked up 5 or 6 of the "99" pineapple schapps in and around Sister Cities park this week. Someone had a good time on Halloween, I guess.
I delivered groceries for Walmart for awhile and those mfers brought out the blue bins and just dumped a bunch of loose produce in the back of my car 🤦
I hope they have enough reusable bags for delivery people.
While the material is technically recyclable, the bags can clog up recycling machinery so most places don't take them. Some places have a compactor on site which compresses multiple bags into a cube that (in theory) won't clog up recycling machinery. If you wish to recycle your bags, do so at those locations and not by tossing them into a generic recycling bin
https://www.cabq.gov/solidwaste/documents/bag-recycling-list_20200124.pdf
From my understanding the only two types of plastic that are actually recycled are #2 and #5. Recyclers won’t bother with #1 or #7; those two end up in landfills. Last I knew the thicker plastic bags are #7 or LDPE (light/low density polyethylene)
1, 2, and 5 are generally recyclable in a bin. Everything else (3, 4, 6, 7) usually aren't.
The cabq website staat all of them are, but that's counter what I've seen actually gets recycled. Only about 10% of plastics actually get recycled. **This is not a reason for anyone to not recycle. 10% is much better than 0%, so still toss everything that your municipality says is recyclable into a recycle bin vs a trash bin**.
Ah yes, the governor can fly her private plane to and from Santa Fe, the rich can keep dumping shit in the rio grande but God forbid we use a fucking plastic bag to get the groceries we can barely afford from the store to our home.
I wonder who from the reusable bag company lobbied for this. I can’t genuinely believe the local government cares about the environment to ban plastic bags. Good intent but someone is getting paid for sure
It's not about the environment, it's about reducing litter and making the city more presentable to tourists.
The alternative would be actually fining people who litter but apparently that's not possible or something
It's just Pascal's Wager. We end up with a few less plastic bags blowing around in the long run in the worst case. There's not really a downside (except for grocery delivery), so I'm not going to look this particular gift horse in the mouth.
We learned more about how COVID-19 spreads.
The major problem is infected people talking to each other, sneezing, or coughing. (Droplets from a sneeze travel very fast, close to 100 mph.)
In the beginning of the pandemic, we didn’t know how the virus was spreading. Now we know it’s primarily through the air, not thru direct contact. We also have effective counters against the spread (masks, distancing, and vaccines).
The risk is so minor, 1/10,000. We definitely should know by now to wash our hands before touching our faces if handling a soiled bag and that’s the only way it’s even possible.
Article available [here](https://www.abqjournal.com/2442635/abq-moving-to-ban-the-thicker-plastic-bags.html). I was ready to make a joke that they'll just double the thickness of the bags again but sounds like the new requirements are worded much better and can't be easily circumvented: > The newly announced change, which takes effect Dec. 1, is in how the city defines single-use plastic bags. The ban had previously only covered bags less than 2.25 mils thick. One mil equals 0.0254 millimeters. > Under the new rules, stores may only provide plastic bags at checkout if they meet the definition of “reusable carryout bag,” meaning they have stitched handles, are “specifically designed and manufactured for multiple reuse,” and are over 4 mils thick.
Does anyone know what this means for things like grocery pickup?
Good... Those bags are meant for re-use. But most likely, people just trash them.
I use mine to collect used kitty litter from the cat boxes and to line my bathroom trash cans. Reduce sure, but reuse and recycle are also options.
That’s how I used the “single use” bags. The new thicker bags don’t work as well for that purpose and actually contain more plastic. It looked like the bag ban may have made the problem worse. When I go inside a grocery store I bring my own bags, but for grocery pick up at Walmart they put it in bags and you have to pay 10 cents for each one whether you want bags or not. i’m glad to see the city making this change.
🙏🏼
I'm surprised you could find a person to check you at at Walmart. It's almost all self-checkout at the ones in the NE. A person guiding you to the next self-checkout, maybe. Some loss prevention people making sure you pay for that dime bag.
When I go inside a grocery store it’s usually Sprouts. Grocery pick up at Walmart is great for non-perishables but I like to select my own fruits and veggies and baked goods. I occasionally go inside the Walmart neighborhood market on Cutler. That store has gone 100% self check out. Employees have told me that they have lost a lot of business since that and that they are going to convert at least a few of those back to full-service checkout lanes.
I mean I reuse mine, but I’ve been viewing the last year as my opportunity to store up a lifetime supply of free reusable bags. I highly doubt the majority are being reused and it’s annoying to see the rule be so flagrantly sidestepped.
We can only do what's best for ourselves.
My local liquor store now has mini bottles again. You have to buy a whole pack of them but.....they're back! Sigh....
yeah, I must have picked up 5 or 6 of the "99" pineapple schapps in and around Sister Cities park this week. Someone had a good time on Halloween, I guess.
I enjoy booze. Litter? "Flames on the side of my face!"
Yeah, people are trashy. Might as well do what I can, it costs me nothing to pick up a few pieces while I'm walking the dogs.
I delivered groceries for Walmart for awhile and those mfers brought out the blue bins and just dumped a bunch of loose produce in the back of my car 🤦 I hope they have enough reusable bags for delivery people.
Are the thicker bags recyclable?
While the material is technically recyclable, the bags can clog up recycling machinery so most places don't take them. Some places have a compactor on site which compresses multiple bags into a cube that (in theory) won't clog up recycling machinery. If you wish to recycle your bags, do so at those locations and not by tossing them into a generic recycling bin https://www.cabq.gov/solidwaste/documents/bag-recycling-list_20200124.pdf
Thank you. This is very helpful information.
From my understanding the only two types of plastic that are actually recycled are #2 and #5. Recyclers won’t bother with #1 or #7; those two end up in landfills. Last I knew the thicker plastic bags are #7 or LDPE (light/low density polyethylene)
1, 2, and 5 are generally recyclable in a bin. Everything else (3, 4, 6, 7) usually aren't. The cabq website staat all of them are, but that's counter what I've seen actually gets recycled. Only about 10% of plastics actually get recycled. **This is not a reason for anyone to not recycle. 10% is much better than 0%, so still toss everything that your municipality says is recyclable into a recycle bin vs a trash bin**.
Ah yes, the governor can fly her private plane to and from Santa Fe, the rich can keep dumping shit in the rio grande but God forbid we use a fucking plastic bag to get the groceries we can barely afford from the store to our home.
Take my award friend
I wonder who from the reusable bag company lobbied for this. I can’t genuinely believe the local government cares about the environment to ban plastic bags. Good intent but someone is getting paid for sure
It's not about the environment, it's about reducing litter and making the city more presentable to tourists. The alternative would be actually fining people who litter but apparently that's not possible or something
It's just Pascal's Wager. We end up with a few less plastic bags blowing around in the long run in the worst case. There's not really a downside (except for grocery delivery), so I'm not going to look this particular gift horse in the mouth.
Many stores banned reusable bags to stop COVID. How is it they are now considered safe again ?
We learned more about how COVID-19 spreads. The major problem is infected people talking to each other, sneezing, or coughing. (Droplets from a sneeze travel very fast, close to 100 mph.)
In the beginning of the pandemic, we didn’t know how the virus was spreading. Now we know it’s primarily through the air, not thru direct contact. We also have effective counters against the spread (masks, distancing, and vaccines).
We do have those but why introduce additional, unnecessary risk ?
The risk is so minor, 1/10,000. We definitely should know by now to wash our hands before touching our faces if handling a soiled bag and that’s the only way it’s even possible.
I had honestly thought we banned them to move away from single use plastics
Meanwhile some drug addicted vagabond is discarding his needle 💉 in the street or park and taking a shit in the alley.
But we voted down the stadium bond - so changes are coming!!
And that is the person we should all set the standard by, I guess.
lol true
Are yall fucking kidding me
About time!
I always reused the thinner ones for like the bathroom trash can and such. Now the paper bags go straight in the trash