JimmyH:

 

The policy is silly, in my opinion. A bit of cheap grandstanding by politicians who want to look like they are doing something.

 

It's not clear that the single use bags were less environmentally friendly than the reusable ones, it depends on how many times those are re-used. And on the environmental impact of washing/cleaning them, otherwise I suspect they will get unsanitary quite fast.

 

From my perspective it will probably push up my use of plastic. The bags are quite light and I used to re-use them as bin liners. Now I will have to buy the glad bin-liners. Which are a heavier grade and contain more grams of plastic per bag, and will only be used once.

 

It's also a PITA. Maybe OK for regular weekend shops where you plan the shop and take the bags with you in the car. But a fair number of my shops consist of nipping into the Wellington Railway Station New World, or the Countdown on Lambton Quay, on my way home. Generally an unplanned trip because we are out of something or my other half has asked me to get something on the way home. I won't have reusable bags on me, so I guess I will just have to buy a heavy reusable bag each time. And toss a few as they pile up at home after 1 or 2 uses. Again, vastly more plastic to the landfill than the flimsy disposable ones.

 

All in all a policy that sounds good, but on closer analysis probably isn't.

 

 

 

Yeah, but for the small minority like you suggesting greater plastic use, the vast majority will be using less.

And as to it being a PITA, first world problem (cue world's smallest violin).

I carry a cotton bag with me daily. It compresses better than plastic and takes up no space or weight at all on my daily trip to work. The world changes, you'll get used to it.