PUNCHLINE: SAN FRANCISCO

Back in 2007, San Francisco passed a law that banned grocery stores and chain pharmacies from giving out plastic bags. Around the same time, an environmental group set out in boats to collect floating trash in the bay and 15,000 of these grocery store-type plastic bags were pulled out of the water (in one day), so I enthusiastically supported the new law.

However, if you know anything about San Francisco politics, it's that good intentions are often taken ridiculously too far.

Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi, who penned the original plastic bag ban, has now introduced a new proposal that retailers be required to give a 10-cent refund to customers who bring in their own bags. This is a BAD idea.

First, California state law prohibits cities from assessing bag fees. So even if this was to be passed by the Board of Stupidvisors, it would end up in the courts and eventually be overturned. A complete waste of time AND money. Secondly, why would you require something like this? Several retailers already give back refunds voluntarily. Besides, this city has already made it so difficult for businesses to be here and this is yet another policy that could make a company to think twice before opening up shop. Does anyone remember the American Apparel -Valencia Street debacle?

For the record, Safeway gives back 5-cents (when the checkout clerk remembers to do so). Whole Foods also offers a 5-cent refund, but then gives the option to donate that refund to one of several different local charities (a pretty good idea - those nickles add up, I'm sure). Rainbow Grocery, a co-op grocery, gives back a whopping 10-cents. Aveda gives back 10-cents as well.