@Buttonstc Two things there.
1) You actually can opt-out on some of them. For instance, many Seattlites bring their own damn bag(s). Problem solved
2) It may be easy for a local business to retrain their staff, but some large chains tend to frown upon individual stores breaking from the corporate mold to stray off-script. Uniformity is important; at times, moreso than the safety of the employees.
In practical terms, what that means is that your mom-and-pops and local chains will change the way they operate and ask, but the big chains might not unless/until corporate HQ becomes aware of the situation and cares enough to act. Hence, around here, the QFC stores will ask while Safeway often doesn’t.
”(H)ow does it do the environment any good if the total responsibility is placed upon the traveling consumer to know that there is a per bag charge?”
Those nickels add up. Environmental programs are not free, so revenue is required. And with the locals bringing their own bags, those nickels have to come from somewhere.
“If the local businesses give a damn about THEIR environment then the more people that they make aware of this increases the number of opt outs and bags not cluttering up the landfill.”
Local businesses? See #2 above. Also note how many places (even those without bag fees) offer canvas totes for sale. It’s almost like the Secret Masters are trying to indoctrinate us….
I see how it’s irksome, but I find many things irksome when I travel yet manage to deal with them.
@funkdaddy You get used to it after a while, just as I got used to buying car insurance after I moved from NH (where it’s optional) to WA (where it’s not). Every place has their own things.