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Comment by LouisSayers | Hacker News Reader

In Australia, New Zealand in recent years we've moved to reduce plastic bags from supermarkets etc.

I haven't actually heard anyone complain about it or get annoyed at some group of people - this whole concept of being annoyed at some group of e.g. environmentalists actually seems completely strange and alien.

Yes, it takes a bit of getting used to, but now it's simply a habit to take a small folded up reusable bag most places when we head out (just incase we end up shopping), or to think ahead and grab some bags when we know we're going out for a shop.

Really not a big deal.

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Those thin plastic bags at checkout were phased out here in South Australia in 2009. I remember some resentment at first ("Now I have to buy bin bags!") but a few years later I don't think anyone cares. Anyone remotely prepared has reusable bags in their home/car, or collapsible bags in a handbag, and deliveries arrive in paper bags (which we then use as a bin under the sink). There are other single-use plastic phase outs in progress and the near-future also.

Previously, plastic bags discarded roadside were a common sight, stuck in fences and trees.

The number of people that I see taking their bags into the supermarket would be <10%. Many people, like me, just pay the 15c/bag tax each time for (heavier plastic) bags that just end up in landfill anyway.

the 15c/bag ones are made of paper in most supermarkets around me (NSW).

I just asked my Aunt who works on checkout, she reckons only about 20% of people remember to bring bags...

Even so, the alternatives here in NZ are paper bags or more expensive polyester fabric bags.

Exactly, and if you can't even do that little effort we might as well not even try

The part that this article completely ignores is that you'd have to re-use a bag 50 times for it to have the same impact on the environment the old plastic bags had. The fabric bags it's about 7000 to 20000 for organic ones.

From a Dannish study

> it's simply a habit to take a small folded up reusable bag most places when we head out (just incase we end up shopping), or to think ahead and grab some bags when we know we're going out for a shop.

For us ADHD people your simple habit is an insurmountable problem. Even if I have them in the car I'll be halfway done with shopping before I remember the bag. Fortunately they just let me pay for a new reusable bag each time.

I resent it because it feels like token bullshit. Plastic bags were quite thin so there is quite literally 100x+ more plastic in the packaging of the products I'm buying than the bag it goes in. Environmentalists pushed the most inconvenient policy that has the least benefit instead of something that might actually move the needle enough to gain my support.

American here, so I’m automobile-dependent, but I most often just put the individual items directly in my trunk, without bags. I do keep a collapsible bin in my trunk that I use when I get home to carry in a bunch of the smaller items. My wife usually tries to give me a reusable bag to use when i head out until I give her a half confused look. then she realizes there’s near-zero chance that I’ll remember to take the bag in the store.

> For us ADHD people

How often do you forget your wallet or phone?

Not the same poster but... surprisingly regularly (glasses and keys, too).

Before I got medicated, I found myself missing something essential multiple times a week. For me, at least, that stopped happening once I got the right dose.

Strict routines and places for EDC items can help too.

For other things, like tape measures, buy a half dozen. Put them the first place you checked the last time you couldn't find it.

Recently got a little wooden valet tray, and it has done wonders for my routine. Everything has it's own little spot!

https://www.google.com/search?q=valet+tray

> For us ADHD people your simple habit is an insurmountable problem.

And for people living in the middle of deserts AC is not an option... when you start to cater to every little tantrum of every little human beings we are of course doomed. You have adhd, other are vintage car enthusiast, other love travelling every weekend to barcelona by place, &c.

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