Would you like to buy a bag?

This greeting is fast becoming a replacement to the standard "how are you today?", or "have a nice day", when checking out your purchases in any Toronto store now. It has been over a month that Toronto imposed the 5c charge for all plastic bags. There are issues -- but we are getting better.

Is 5c a pain to pay?
When it used to be free -- shoppers would ask for plastic bags ( and double bags) even for those small and tiny purchases. Now that they have to pay for it -- they refuse to pay and juggle all the stuff they have in their arms. The issue is not the 5c, I think, but more of a defiance to something we used to get for free.

Trouble for the shop owners
With people refusing to pay for those bags, there must be an increase in shoplifting. The onus is in the shop owners to check the receipt of whatever you have in your arms or in your recyclable bag. I have seen arguments between shopper and checker happening because of this situation. I wonder how this can be resolved. Tip : show your receipt even if they don't ask for it.

We are getting there
People now consciously bring their recyclable bags anywhere. It only takes 21 days to create a habit. A few days after it started, I folded and placed 1 recyclable bag in all my handbags. Better to be ready anytime.

Why should I pay 5c for those ugly plastic bags, when there are lots of beautiful recyclable bags?


How are you liking the idea?