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City of Austin Texas - Bag Ban - Ban of Single Use Bags

By
Real Estate Agent with Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com 0480809

It's been 4 days since the Austin bag ban has been in place. What's the Austin Bag Ban? The City of Austin Texas bans the use of single use bags at the grocery and other stores.  Most people thought this meant single use "plastic" bags, but it also applies to single use "paper" bags. The paper bags with handles are considered ok to use.

Personally, I didn't think too much of the ban for a couple of reasons. One, I try to remember my fabric bags when I can. Two, I don't live within the City Limits of Austin so the ban won't effect me for my every day grocery shopping.  However, many people are very disgruntled about this ban. On Twitter, you can see many not-so-nice-words being used to describe the situation.

donna harris austin texas real estate agent

By the way, the stores are allowed to charge you for these reusable "thicker" plastic and paper bags. I've heard some stores charging $0.10 or $0.25 a bag. I've heard some are charging a flat $1 for all your groceries to be in plastic bags. There is no consistancy about who is charging what.

There are exceptions for the bags like for produce and take-out food. When the ban was first suggested last year, it seemed like there were so many exceptions that people thought the ban would never actually take place. Instead, they moved up the deadline so things didn't procrastinate. And yes, you guessed it, there is already a lawsuit filed stating it violates health codes.

I hate putting my milk in fabric bags as they get all wet. I hate when the stores overload the fabric bags and jam everything into one bag. I still have to carry the thing!! Should the stores be responsible for tearing the bags and replacement? There's a thought...

**Are You Packed Yet?**

donna harris Realtor Austin TX blog

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.com
Donna@DonnaHomes.com
austin-texas-homes-for-sale.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way. 

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Copyright© 2013 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* City of Austin Texas - Bag Ban - Ban of Single Use Bags
* was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

I like this idea and would love to see it go over everywhere. I hate to be walking a trail and find the plastic  bags, cups and bottles on the trail.  If this goes in to effect that will be one less un-natural thing to find in the woods.

Mar 04, 2013 03:30 AM
Stephanie Stringer
First Choice Loan Services NMLS#210764 - San Antonio, TX
Mortgage Loan Originator

Are you serious?  Charging shoppers for the plastic bags.  Crazy... Groceries are already high enough.   I use my cloth bags as long as I don't forget them :)

Mar 04, 2013 03:54 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Gwen, It's good to an extent. When low-income people are suffering because it eats into their budget to buy bags, that's ridiculous. To be punished because I left my bags at home, which is more than half the time, is ridiculous... If I wanted to shop at Sams or Costco where they don't bag anything, I would go there...

Stephanie, That's my problem too is that I always forget the bags at home...

Mar 04, 2013 04:15 AM
Ellie McIntire
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland

Donna- This could be your best marketing strategy ever. Make sure all your clients get one of your lovely blue bags to rake shopping and give you free advertising.

Mar 04, 2013 04:25 AM
Jennifer Prestwich
Henderson, Thornton, Broomfield and Westminster - Henderson, CO
Madison & Co Properties

OH my gosh, Donna - a lawsuit?  I would find it a bit annoying to be told that I must use fabric bags, but I usually do use them myself.  And I agree with you on how a lot of the baggers load them - I cannot tell you how many times my bread has been put on the bottom of my bag....

Mar 04, 2013 04:29 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Ellie, I've been giving them out to my clients for the past couple of years gearing up for this.

Jennifer, I know, and I think that's why people are upset with it because they're being told what to do instead of suggesting making a change for the better.

Mar 04, 2013 08:47 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Green is good but it can go too far. Austin is cutting edge no question.
Mar 04, 2013 09:08 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Gary, Yes, it can definitely go too far... I think stores should stop selling bottled water... :)

Mar 04, 2013 11:34 PM