No More Plastic Bags at stores in California

[progree]

8. Or if the ground is wet or snow and one has to set bags down for one reason or another

Last edited Fri Jan 2, 2026, 05:47 AM - Edit history (2)

and gets the bottom of the bags wet. I carry them more than half a mile and have to set them down about every 2 blocks to rest my arms momentarily, sometimes more often than that.

I take the bus part way, and walk the rest of the way home. While waiting for the bus, am I supposed to keep holding the paper bags up off the ground for like 10 minutes? I typically get $90 to $150 worth of groceries, and I stuff what I can in my backpack, but the rest I have to carry in hand.

(I've been experimenting with hanging some from shoulders, using various schemes and devices to keep them from slipping off my shoulders -- simply tying the bag straps together in front doesn't work. Sometimes I have to set all that down to rearrange and reposition, or simply because I need some momentary relief from the burden).

And, paper bag handles are not made for long-distance walking in my experience. (In fairness neither are regular store-supplied plastic bags, one has to double-up or pack each bag lightly, which is about the same thing).

Anyway, like I say in #2, I always bring my own tote bags. If per chance I decide at the last minute to get groceries (or something else), and didn't bring the tote bags, it looks like I'm out of luck, or to keep it to a small number of items.