Mixed Bag: Boston Patch Readers React to Possible Plastic Bag Ban

Boston Patch asked readers this week what they thought of a potential plastic bag ban currently under consideration by members of Boston's City Council.

We heard from you via Facebook, email, and article comments. To all of you who reached out, we say, "Thank you, and keep it coming!" The city council working group has another 87 days to study this question.

There was no clear consensus among Patch readers on the issue, but here's a sampling of the responses we received.

Some thought it was a long time coming, like Erin, on the West Roxbury Patch Facebook:

"It's about (darn) time - even reusing them is bad. They are toxic and harmful. It's 2016, I think we can all use something more environmentally friendly."

Commenter JPGal (can we safely assume she's from Jamaica Plain?), wrote:

"I absolutely support the ban. It means changing some of our habits but we need to if we are going to leave a livable world for our children and grandchildren. There are all kinds of options for small foldable reusable bags that don't cost lots of money. Let's put our American ingenuity and can-do attitude to work!"

Then there's those who are outright, flat-out opposed, like Jim, who emailed from Jamaica Plain:

"Elimination of one-time-use plastic bags is a serious health problem. ... re-usable plastic bags repeatedly transfer all sorts of harmful germs, and the bags become ever more contaminated with re-use! Like many others, Re-usable bags for non-refrigerated items are fine, but refrigerated items, especially meats, should be placed in non-re-usable plastic."

Then there was Emily, commenting on the West Roxbury Patch's Facebook page:

"Absolutely ridiculous! Um, slow news day?"

There were also those who didn't oppose the idea, per se, but still think it wouldn't work in practice.

Patch user CityGuy commented on our story:

"The ban might be 'fine' in the suburbs where you drive your car everywhere and can have reusable bags always at hand. In the city where you walk and T everywhere, you can't have reusable bags on you every minute of every day. ... What will happen is we'll be force to buy reusable bags for $1 each, and throw them out when we get home. Not sure how that helps the environment at all."

Another commenter, sonniell, had a similar thought:

"Commendable venture but questionable outcome. ... There is way too much plastic (along with everything else) enveloped in our waterways today; but, this approach is like attacking the water/soda bottle industry....great ideas; but no solutions!"

You can read our original story and add your thoughts here.