Job Discussion Forums

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

Starting tomorrow, plastic shopping bags are BANNED in DF. Bring your cloth 'green bags' from now on to the grocery store.

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/notas/702393.html

The only thing more ubiquitous than plastic bags as litter in Mexico are plastic coke bottles. What am I going to do for poop-n-scoop now?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 5:26 pm Post subject:

I recycle most of the plastic bags I get at Superama and use them for garbage bags. Now I�ll have to buy garbage bags, which, of course, are made of plastic Mad

! Does this make any sense?

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

You'll have to get the biodegradable ones...I get then now and again at Mega.

Same with bio-poop bags but I haven't seen them for sale here. I bring a bunch back from Canada whenever I go.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:35 pm Post subject:

If I can't find biodegradable ones where I shop, then I'll end up littering the garbage dump with more non-recyclable plastic bags. The only way to end the takeover of the planet by the "bad" plastic bags is to stop their manufacture, like that's going to happen any day soon Rolling Eyes

!

Professor · Joined: 22 May 2009 Posts: 449 Location: Mexico City

Wall Mart tried this once but I don't think it worked. People would forget to brings their green bags and it was just a big hassle. They have gone back to bags.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

They'll do more than try starting tomorrow as they will be fined heavily if they don't, says the DF government.

Walmart was the first one I noticed that started to phase in the green bags...getting us used to the idea for a couple of years before the law came into effect.

Phil_K · Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 2041 Location: A World of my Own

As usual, on the part of the government, this is a half-measure. Tianguis(es) and markets are exempt. Does that make sense? No, didn't think so!

thelmadatter · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 2:03 pm Post subject: disappear

50 pesos says that within 3 months (if that long) the law will disappear, either off the books or its a joke. Too much hassle for too little benefit.

I do hope for better with the ad campaign for not littering as it is one of the main reasons why there are flooding problems in the city. Most of that isnt plastic bags, but Coke bottles as mentioned

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I could see it turning into a 'pay to bag' model if the outright ban doesn't work. Cities in Ontario Canada do this, where you're forced to pay something like 3 cents a bag. That could help keep the plastics industry (big business in Mexico) happy and still offer an incentive to reduce.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:43 pm Post subject:

Sorry, double post.

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:45 pm Post subject:

Today I walked over to my local Superama, carrying my own plastic bags in my carryall. As I approached the entrance, I saw several people carrying plastic bags full of groceries out of the store. While my order was being checked out, I asked the cashier if we had to pay for plastic bags, and she said, "no". Further questioned, she told me that the "no plastic bags policy" was supposed to have started today, but so far no one had told them anything. So there you have it Rolling Eyes

. . .

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

aha, reports of the death of the plastic bag have been greatly exaggerated. Wandered into an OXXO today and was given such a bag with a big green label reading Biodegradable. Poopnscoop problem solved.

TeresaLopez · Joined: 18 Apr 2010 Posts: 601 Location: Mexico City

I was told the biodegradable bags are exempt. I was given "normal" bags by no fewer than 4 stores today, and asked in each place why they were giving out bags, and they all answered something along the lines of, too many people are complaining about no bags. One store, hehe, was keeping them under the counter, and only giving them to known customers. At that store, a woman who purchased some items a few minutes before I did was told that they couldn't give her a bag because of the ban, yet 10 minutes later *I* was given a bag no problem. I assume that is in case stores are being spot checked by secret shoppers or something along those lines.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

ooh, we are witnessing the beginnings of a black market. An illicit trade in plastic bags.

It will start as Teresa describes - shopkeeps doling out supply with a wink and a nod to trusted client�le. As word spreads and a government task force begins hauling away mom n pops, supplies will become more scarce, and street prices will rise.

Our schools will soon be preyed upon, with PB dealers whispering through playground fences - "psst, hey I got plastic bags, c'mon you know you want some. Just think, you can just throw it away after."

Cartels will form and take control of smuggling routes based in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and El Paso. Mexican border patrol will be helpless to stem the flow of high-grade plastic bags from the US. It is a bleak future indeed.

Shocked