Despite dire warnings of sequesterpocalygeddon, millions awakened yesterday to business as usual. Residents of Austin, Texas, did notice one small change that had nothing to do with budget cuts: the city’s ban on plastic assault bags went into effect March 1, catching many by surprise despite a year-long education campaign.
Today is the first day of the 'no one-time-use bags'. Up here in North Austin everyone was so confused. It was madness. #GroceryStoreTweets
— Lyndee McKinley (@lyndeemckinley) March 1, 2013
Dear Austin People, HEB no longer gives free plastic bags. If you don't bring in your reusable bags they will charge you $1 to bag yo shit
— GOT Apologist (@IamJOHN_RNS) March 1, 2013
As of today, the city of Austin has banned single use bags in stores. No more plastic or paper bags. Gotta buy your own bags. What a pain.
— Michael Clayton (@bassthumpa) March 1, 2013
First day of the bag ban in Austin and I completely forgot to take my reusable bags! Ugh!
— Angela Krasnick (@angiekraz) March 1, 2013
Guess who has to carry all the stuff to the car because forgot about the no plastic bags in Austin.. This guy
— Sweet Jon (@jonathanlunaa) March 2, 2013
https://twitter.com/livehappy8/status/307543722286006272
No more plastic bags in austin today. Better start remembering those reusable bags for real now. #fuck
— katelyn jones (@katelynj0nes) March 1, 2013
https://twitter.com/amy_sassidy/status/307612716212822016
I would go to HEB the day the no plastic bags law takes effect. If ever I hated hippy Austin, it's when I'm paying $15 for grocery bags.
— Kelsea (@kelsea_l_r) March 1, 2013
https://twitter.com/elvira_g08/status/307567912204529664
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March 1st. It's the beginning of the Plastic Bag Ban in Austin, Tx. Dont forget to take your reusable bags or Cargo pants to the stores.
— RubenSifuentes (@mmm_hmm) March 1, 2013
No more plastic bags in Austin now? They're taking away my bathroom trash bags! Bastards!!!
— Willie B. (@williebnwc) March 1, 2013
https://twitter.com/AmandaGrindele/status/307508751399788544
Austin's #BagBan starts today. I wonder if you can get in trouble for dealing plastic bags?
— Geoffrey Tahuahua (@gtahuahua) March 1, 2013
Hey Austin people,
I have 2 plastic grocery bags in my car. I'd sell them for $20 a piece.You'll call me tomorrow.
— Nathan Hubble (@natehub) March 1, 2013
I made $5k today selling plastic single use bags on the corner #austin #newlaws
— Dan Bettinger (@Grigz) March 1, 2013
https://twitter.com/EricKennedyATX/status/307580378506469377
Hoarding all my plastic bags because they'll be worth something someday. *day 1 of Austin bag ban*
— Bird (@becabird) March 2, 2013
Enforcement of the ban “will be driven by complaints from the public,” reports statesman.com. “People can call the city’s nonemergency 311 line to report businesses violating the ban.”
If the ban saves just one tree branch, it’ll have been worth it, right? But as with any ban, people are finding workarounds.
Drove a few extra miles south thx to #Austin City Council so we could do our grocery shopping in #Buda and choose #plastic bags! #bagtheban
— Kelly (@kellybird123) March 2, 2013
City Council figured out a way to reduce spending in Austin. People will only buy what's on the list as that's how many bags we brought in.
— WendyChance (@WendyChance) March 2, 2013
Day 1 of No Plastic Bags in Austin. This lady forgot her groc. bags & didn't want to buy any. Resourceful & Hilarious pic.twitter.com/WYjW5JL7aS
— debbielgray (@debbielgray) March 1, 2013
Give them plastic or give them death!
Apparently Austin made plastic bags illegal friggin hippies
— aly newton (@alyjnewt) March 3, 2013
so the city of Austin has removed plastic bags… FUCK YOU!
— open that birkin ? (@holisticpussy) March 3, 2013
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