No Plastic Shopping Bags At Target

Last week I traveled to California for business and had to stop at Target to pick up a few things and was surprised to find that no plastic bags were hanging on the self-service lanes. I had to search my fifty plus going on fifteen gray matter, and I remembered that California had outlawed plastic bags recently so carried my merchandise out in my hands.

I believe in being environmentally conscious, but at the same time I am a realist, so I am curious about the impact of not using plastic bags in the United States.

In 2017, the Environmental Science & Technology Journal had an interesting article posted that ten river systems are primarily responsible for depositing plastic pollution in our oceans. Eight of the river systems are in Asia, and the other two are in Africa, and 90% of plastic pollution originates from these areas.

Even though the majority of plastic pollution does not come directly from the United States, I believe we need to make efforts to reduce plastic shopping bags but think charging for each bag would drive make a more significant impact.

In 2017, Isreal started charging three cents for each plastic bag, and initial reports estimate that there has been an 80% reduction on bag utilization due to fees. I have always believed that giving consumers a choice versus banning something provides more beneficial results typically.

• I am curious about your thoughts on how to limit the use of plastic shopping bags.

Have a great day, and it's terrific being fifty plus going on fifteen.

Jay