Joe points to an article about San Francisco’s pending ban against plastic bags at grocery stores. Ironically, although the ban is supposed to encourage “environmentally friendly” consumer choices, the effect is quite different:

Craig Noble, a spokesman for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said it would be disappointing if grocers rejected the biodegradable plastic bag option, since more trees would have to be cut down if paper bag use increases.

Last year, I believe it was, the Commissaries were instructed to stop offering plastic bags to shoppers. Instead of the ol’ “Paper or plastic?” question, we’re now asked: “Did you want paper?” and usually in the tone of voice that makes it sound like you’re really being offered use of a much different kind of paper.

I’ve never, ever been a fan of paper grocery sacks. They’re seldom loaded correctly, they’re not terribly efficient if you’re trying to get your groceries and your kids in the house before something melts down, and they’re notorious for being cockroach transport mechanisms.

I can almost always predict whether the shopper’s going to ask for paper or plastic by whether there’s kid-friendly food in the cart — regardless of whether the kids are with them or not.