Shopping yesterday at Shaw’s in Porter Square, I was surprised that no paper bags, only “reusable” plastic bags, were available at checkout. When I asked a supervisor, he said I should ask the City of Cambridge — which, I learned, does not permit paper bags at retail stores [Editor’s note: Cambridge requires stores to charge a fee for paper bags]. I was baffled. True, only reusable plastic bags are offered, but if most people are like me, we are by now overwhelmed by “reusable” bags, including plastic bags, and regularly put them in the trash.
Sam Engelstad / Columbus Avenue, Somerville
A stronger
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The state seems likely to pass extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation this session that will eliminate distribution of plastic bags altogether and require a fee for paper bags. Personally, I don’t think retailers should be able to give away or even sell bags at all. There is no reason people can’t train themselves to bring their own. Trading environmental harm and degradation for convenience is a terrible deal.