Bag Ban: Boon or Bane?

A
vigdor Ehrenfeld hit upon an idea several years ago to better promote his grocery — let the customer do the advertising.

Ehrenfeld, the owner of Parkville Food Center in Midwood, Brooklyn, designed a more expensive plastic shopping bag that is meant to be reused. It’s an alternative take on the old expression that the best advertisement is a satisfied customer.

Now, his concept is threatened by passage of a new law in New York State that totally bans the use of plastic shopping bags. The law, which sailed through both chambers of the legislature last week, and has the support of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, also allows local municipalities to charge a five-cent fee for paper bags.

“I view it as a decree that is unenforceable,” said Ehrenfeld. “I don’t see what people are going to do. I don’t see how you could put two milks and an egg carton in a paper bag.”