Now, to answer your question, I think that you shouldn’t be exempted from this tax, because the reuable bags are sold everywhere. Technically you don’t even need to buy one that’s labeled specificaly for groceries; you could use those canvas bags that middle-aged women have been carrying around since we were kids, supporting every charity and event known to man. Bags like these are widely available, and I know from experience that Safeway won’t turn down using a bag even if you’ve bought it from another store or cause. (I usually end up using my Wal-Mart bag at Safeway for some reason.)

Also, I think the tax is meant to curb bad behavior as much as anything because, while you and I reuse our plastic bags to help extend thier lives and make them less waseful, most people don’t do this. And heck, does anyone but me recycle them? Most bags end up in the trash and take forever to break down. The reusable bags have been available in one form or another since the 90s at least, so I don’t think there’s much excuse for not using them. And wouldn’t it only take you one time of eating that tax before you went and scoured the city for a couple of the reuables? I think it’s an interesting plan that’ll inconvenience a lot of people for a short time, then die because no one needs to use the plastic bags anymore.

And seriously, remember Uwajimaya. That store’s a joy to visit anyway.