First, while the plastic bags now used by local merchants aren’t recyclable, other types of plastic bags apparently are. We’ve recently received some items ordered by Internet or phone that were packed in clear plastic bags inside the shipping box. Printed on these bags were the words “Please Recycle” and the number “4” inside a triangle. I have saved some of these, if anybody wants to see them. As the concern about use of nonrecyclable plastic bags by local merchants is the issue, perhaps an ordinance requiring all merchants in Durango (not just four of them) to use recyclable plastic bags would better protect our environment.

The bag fee on paper bags must be intended to save trees used to make paper, as these paper bags are recyclable. But paper bags made of only recycled paper are available. Perhaps it might be better protection for our environment to require all merchants in Durango who use paper bags to use only those made from recycled paper.

Richard Ruth

Durango