Recall that #NewtownPA's plastic bag ban recently went into effect. Unless a temporary exemption is granted, retail stores must stop supplying customers with non-recyclabe plastic bags and offer paper bags instead for which they can charge a fee of up to 10 cents per bag.
This past Monday I stopped by McCaffrey's in #NewtownPA and had a paper bag issue. As I explained on FB:
"I got this recyclable paper bag from McCaffery's yesterday for 10 cents. Wanting to save 10 cents, I put all my 3 small items in the bag - including a cardboard container in the bottom containing Swedish meatballs and gravy. Unfortunately, the gravy leaked through the cardboard box AND the bag. Next time I am going to have go to the produce department and put the hot food box in a plastic bag, which are still available!"
I got grief from supervisor Elen Snyder, who said:
"No, John, that is not true. What you were supposed to do is bring your own reusable bags and not to use paper bags. I would think you of all people would get the message."
Whaa? "What's "not true?", I asked. "What did I say that was not true?" Anyway, I "got the message." After exercising at the local Y, I had to stop by to buy my wife a birthday card and I did not come prepared with my own bag. Now, I know you are going to tell me to have bags in my car and me of all people should know that. Well, as Steve Martin would say, "well, EXCUSE ME!" that I did not get the message!
There were some other comments from residents, including:
"If they save money on not having plastic, Why the hell are we
The McCaffrey's paper bags meet these requirements.
Will Retail Establishments be able to charge a fee for their bags?