Los Angeles Dog Owners Hoard Plastic Grocery Bags
NEW LAW BANNING PLASTIC BAGS FROM RETAIL STORES TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2010.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Local dog owners started hoarding plastic bags after it was announced that the city would ban the use of the bags in retail stores in 2010 because they are not biodegradable. Officials and environmental groups are concerned about the number of bags that are not recycled and find their way into landfills and waterways.
A visit to the Sepulveda Basin Dog Park revealed that dog owners are taking this ban seriously and are apprehensive about the potentially life-changing event. I spoke to several people, on condition of anonymity, to get their opinions and find out what their plans are for the future.
A woman with two golden retrievers was visibly upset as she worried about how she would clean up after her dogs “I just don’t know what we’re going to do. They are virtual poop machines and each walk is a four bagger,” she said. “It’s the law to clean up after your dogs but how will that be possible when there are no more plastic bags?”
Other dog owners expressed various emotions that ranged from depression to outrage. “I’ve always enjoyed taking my dog for a walk,” said one man. “I can’t see how it will be any fun scooping up poop with the LA Times from now on. There’s always the risk of getting it on your hands without using plastic and it’s very unsanitary.” Another dog owner vowed not to let this ban go unchallenged. “I will fight this all the way to the state supreme court, if necessary,” he threatened. “I’m a lawyer and I know when my constitutional rights are in jeopardy.”
Some people are concerned that a “brown” market in plastic bags could lead to increased crime and fraud. “This ban will cause a shortage that will drive normally law abiding citizens right into the arms of illegal dealers,” declared the owner of a Chihuahua-Boxer mixed breed. “We will be forced to pay top dollar for something that used to be free and some people will profit enormously. It’s just another demonstration of how big government interferes with day-to-day life. The rich will just keep getting richer,” she claimed.
While most dog owners acknowledge that plastic bags are an environmental hazard, some are unwilling to give up the convenience. “Those tree huggers in San Francisco started this whole thing in California so why can’t they just keep it up North instead of spreading their ‘green’ ideas down here? I think this is taking this ‘eco’ thing too far,” said the owner of a Neapolitan Mastiff.
Government representatives were unavailable for comment but one dog owner, a city administrator, spoke unofficially. He said, “I hope we have done the right thing. I’m worried that tax dollars could be spent in neighboring cities if dog owners begin shopping elsewhere just to obtain the free plastic bags. Of course, they will use more gas driving to other cities but that may not matter to them if it means they can continue to safely clean up after their dogs. We’ll just have to see how this plays out.”
The state of California is considering a statewide ban of the ubiquitous bags, which will supersede any city legislation, that will include a $0.25 charge per bag if shoppers do not provide their own containers at checkout.
