Bag Ban Leads to Rise in Basket Thefts

Plastic bag bans have gone into effect in a variety of places. Customers are expected to bring their own reusable bags. Forgetting the bag is common though and it turns out that for some they have resorted to stealing those plastic baskets at the grocery store and taking their goods home with them rather than buying one more cloth bag or just carrying the items individually out to the car.

Who knew this sort of unintended set of circumstances might arise from this ban, now some stores have removed their basket supply to tackle the issue and the only option for customers is to grab a buggy to do their shopping.

For now there isn't a rule on a national level and who knows if there ever will be but that hasn't stopped many jurisdiction from thinking this is a good idea to implement. A growing number of stores are being pushed into this direction whether consumers like it or not.

Critics of the ban have suggested that it hurts businesses or that there can be germ risks associated with used bags etc. Still, the bag ban and plastic ban is more popular than ever. Many individuals who are able to afford it would pay more to avoid the single use plastic, and a majority of voters have demonstrated that they are in favor of this sort of restriction in the market for both businesses and individuals.

pics: pixabay sources: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/08/us-to-ban-sale-of-single-use-plastic-on-public-lands-national-parks-by-2032.html https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/most-americans-would-pay-more-to-avoid-using-plastic-poll-says