YOUR EDITOR'S RESPONSE: The road to hell is often paved with good intentions. Cross-contamination is indeed a serious issue--per just one of hundreds of studies here -- these are some conclusions and recommendations:
--Consumers almost never wash reusable bags.
--Bacteria were found in 99% of reusable bags tested, but none in new bags or plastic bags.
--Coliform bacteria were found in 51% of the bags tested, with generic E. coli in 8%.
--Bacteria were capable of growth when stored in the trunks of cars.
--A potential risk of bacterial cross-contamination is associated with use of reusable bags to carry groceries.
--Hand or machine washing reduced the numbers of bacteria in reusable bags by 99.9%.
--Instructions should be printed on reusable bags, indicating that they should be washed between uses and that foods that are usually consumed raw should be separated from other food products. AGAIN READ THE ENTIRE REPORT HERE
YOU MAY ALSO HAVE AN INTEREST IN AUSTIN'S FAILED 2015 PLASTIC BAG BAN HERE
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A reader is looking for soap box derby articles from Croton in the 70's. Presuming they mean the cub kart derby, click here
As the current regime will force a ban on bags a couple of thoughts: Shoprite, a wonderful friend to the village might lose customers as has been proven in other areas. More importantly, where do all the bags in Westchester go? The incinerator at Charles Point!
ReplyDeleteYes they're burned along with a lot of other things. But to wash the bags as recommended I need to use water and detergent and maybe even a dryer. Not exactly environmentally free from issues. Residents need to be prepared for being in the market longer. I've been behind someone with multiple reusable bags and because she had to separate the meat from the produce and from everything else, it takes longer. InNYC they have already rolled back the nickel per plastic bag tax for being unfair to the poor and make no mistake, its a tax not a fee. One person on line at the market once said she wants all PLASTIC bags banned including the ones you put your produce in and your newspapers delivered in! I mean come on...I mean there's even local talk of supporting a measure to tax beef more since cows produce methane!
ReplyDeleteBeef at least has significant nutritional value.
ReplyDeleteBan ice cream: that has about the worst carbon footprint imaginable, and it is not a necessity. If you want to save the planet, stop eating ice cream!
Just let them try to take away my hamburgers!
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