I was at the general meeting tonight but I had to leave early. A lot of people came out for the meeting, which was at Congregation Beth Elohim; a number of people I spoke with acknowledged the historic nature of the vote. The Food Coop voting no on plastic bags would, like the vote on plastic water bottles, send a message loud and clear that they are serious about environmental issues.
I am not sure what the outcome of the vote at tonight’s meeting was but I am guessing that the membership present voted to ban plastic bags: an important move on the part of the Food Coop.
It’s true the Coop voted overwhelmingly to ban plastic bags from the Coop. I was a skeptic at first, thinking it would be a huge inconvenience not to be able to use a plastic bag if you didn’t have a reusable bag handy. Other people expressed a similar concern, especially if you just need to run and grab something. However, these concerns were mitigated by the fact there are numerous alternatives to plastic bags- including cheap (50cent) reusable bags, boxes, and very handy nylon bags that fold into a pouch and can easily be carried in a purse or pocket. Even though the decision will effect a great deal of members, it was a change that can easily by adjusted for. The coop will also sell a new, cheap, reusable bag to members starting in a couple of weeks.