In last week’s post (if you missed it, this covers the basic idea), I casually mentioned how vendors in Cambridge are required to charge ten cents at checkout for each bag used by shoppers. This is a well-intended policy aimed at reducing the city’s use of disposable bags but, like any such policy, creates some interesting consequences I’m sure nobody anticipated at the time the law was passed.
This new law challenges retailers to consider the way they separate customers who already bought something from those who are carrying an item to checkout. This is especially important, I suspect, for stores where the registers are located away from the exit. Shoppers who check-out but decline a bag will need to carry their items right through the front door, perhaps in the process resembling a bold (or dumb) shoplifter.
The HMart addresses this concern by placing ‘PAID’ stickers on items as they are paid for at checkout. I suppose the idea is for me to wave my bag of frozen dumplings at security, sticker plainly visible on the packaging, as I walk out? It doesn’t seem a bad plan.
It does make me wonder, though, how much a sticker costs. If it costs more than ten cents (unlikely) I wonder if the HMart will start charging for those, as well? And what about the cost to the environment? Reducing the number of bags helps but only if nothing else replaces the litter. Plus, since stickers are sticky - aren't you glad I’m here to clear this up - cleaning up discarded stickers might in some cases be a little tougher than just scooping up loose bags.
