San Francisco is considering making a change that will affect most shoppers in the city: they're talking about instituting a ban on the use of plastic grocery bags. Lawmakers are blaming the bags for everything from "littering streets and choking wildlife" to playing a major part in global warming. The expect that such a change will save the city millions of dollars, although taxpayers may have an increased out-of-pocket expense for reusable canvas (or other materials) shopping bags and alternative plastic bags that would serve the functions that reused grocery bags often do now (lining small trash bins, picking up after dogs, etc.).
San Francisco is not the first city to consider such legislation. Plastic bags are either taxed or not used in parts of South Africa, Ireland and Taiwan. Bangladesh has banned them and Zanzibar, Rwanda and Paris are also considering a ban. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will vote on the measure next week and, if passed, it will take effect in six months.
I'm just barely old enough to remember my Mom and her girlfriends having Tupperware parties at our neighbor's house. Given that I was about five or so, I found it strange that a bunch of ladies would gather to kvell over and then purchase sets of air-tight storage containers. I must admit, however, that with their bright primary colors, radially patterned lids and burping seals, the containers seemed pretty neat at the time. 
