Recycle, don’t ban, plastic bags

Manhattan: Instead of banning or charging for plastic grocery bags, why has no one thought of the obvious: Recycle them like we do with hard plastic containers? Recycling is common in many states, Arizona and Wisconsin to name just two. Even large stores in Manhattan have bag recycling bins. In fact, New York State even has a mandate for recycling plastic shopping bags given out by stores greater than 10,000 square feet — but has never enforced that law!

Proponents of the ban grossly exaggerate the number of bags used by us, claiming we use billions of them annually. Their data claims every man, woman and child in New York uses three bags or more a day. Nonsense. These misguided tree-huggers also falsely claim the bags get caught in the machinery. This is patently false. Modern technology quickly solved that problem.

Their claim of all the plastic bags ending up in the ocean also is disingenuous, since the photos they show of plastic bag accumulation in waterways are taken in Asia and are the results of misuse by Asian consumers, not us here in New York.

Finally, I use my old plastic bags for garbage. I haven’t bought a Hefty bag in decades. How much plastic has that saved us? If New Yorkers recycle paper, plastic and metals, let’s get smart and simply recycle these handy plastic bags as well. Or does that make too much sense? Sean Sweeney

One bag for another

Manhattan: In our house (of four) we usually generate one bag of garbage a week and at least two bags of recyclables, so I think we’re sufficiently recycling-conscious. We have a cabinet in our kitchen where we store our plastic grocery bags until we have the opportunity to visit a store that will take them back. I think the ban on these bags goes in the wrong direction. In other cities where I have lived, the law was very simple: If a store gives the bags out, they have to take them back for recycling. I think this is a much better solution than a ban. Come to think of it, I’m not sure why the city does not accept such bags in my recycling bag. Isn’t my recycling bag itself a plastic bag?

Gregory Smyth

Plastic for trash

Rego Park: Banning plastic bags is a silly idea. Many reuse those bags for trash disposal or storage. Banning the bags would necessitate purchasing other plastic bags for daily garbage disposal. Besides, reusable bags may be unsanitary and more taxing on the environment. Who’s going to wash out bags when groceries leak? Why not focus on plastic packaging, shipping waste and fast food containers? That’s the litter I see in my neighborhood.

Arthur L. Miller

Paper over plastic

Brooklyn: Another entry in “The Great Carryout Plastic Bag Debate”: My wife and I use the grocery store plastic bags for our garbage, but I realize many people do not. Why not go back to paper bags at checkout? They don’t blow away, get stuck in trees, etc. If not, we will have to buy plastic bags for our garbage — isn’t that what everybody else does? And I guess that’s OK? Oh . . . and by the way, didn’t we switch from paper to plastic because we were cutting down too many trees? Peter Magnotta

Costly ban

Staten Island: Our governor’s potential ban on plastic bags is an election-year farce. If a complete ban were passed, it would help clean up the environment but would also put a hurt on the bag manufacturing industry. No fees; no plastic bags; no exemptions is the way to go. Thomas Bell

Paper for commuters

Kew Gardens: Reusable shopping bags are not a practical option for commuters who shop on their way home from work by public transportation. By all means ban the plastic, but leave us free recyclable paper bags. Shoppers shouldn’t be penalized because they don’t drive to the supermarket. Harvey Wachtel

Shameful city

Brooklyn: Fired principal Annie Seifullah is absolutely right that the city Department of Education is complicit in helping her ex-boyfriend achieve his stated goal, to “destroy” her career and reputation through revenge porn (“Former Queens principal sues city for assisting ex-boyfriend in sick revenge porn scheme,” April 26). Although investigators concluded that he planted sexual photos on her work laptop before giving it to school officials, she was fired for not adequately securing the computer. Is “What was her password?” the new “What was she wearing?” when it comes to victim-blaming? This woman was doubly traumatized. I applaud her strength in speaking out and really hope to see her get justice. Katherine Raymond

Done with Megyn

Shepherdstown, W.Va.: Before Megyn Kelly’s show Wednesday, she was promoting her subjects for the 9 a.m. airing. When Savannah had a nice compliment about Melania’s white hat and white suit, Kelly had to jump in and talk about Trump brushing the “dandruff” off the French president’s jacket. It was totally out of place and not the time or venue to make that comment. I’m done with her and her boring show. She is clearly still very angry with Trump and takes every opportunity to slam him and the party.

Anne Small

The Muslim problem

Oceanside, L.I.: I am anti-Muslim. It has nothing to do with Trump. When I see a woman wearing a hijab, all I can think of is the continued subjugation of women and this headgear is proof of their submissive position. These people have come from different countries to escape persecution, yet they are affirming the same religion that is persecuting them. They have the expectation we should accept that yet paradoxically they left to come here because they could not. I am anti-Muslim because I know it is not a religion of peace. You do not see Christians or Jews hating others because they do not want to become Christian or Jewish yet Muslims believe theirs is the only religion. I will continue to be anti-Muslim until ALL Muslim women accept they are not submissive, demeaned and worthless and Muslim men accept all religions and someone’s right to be a different religion. Until then, Muslim women, if you want to wear your hijabs, go to a country that accepts your diminutive stature and let America be a Christian nation, free to be an equal. Sandra Weiss

Disgusting rides

Bronx: Wednesday morning, I boarded the No. 1 train at 231st St. In the car I entered were six homeless men sprawled out among the seats. One was masturbating, another was urinating and defecating in the car. I wanted to contact the conductor, but I was afraid that if I got off I would not be able to get back on. We pay too much and can’t have our children exposed to this! We are feeling like caged animals with homeless men and women living on the subway! MTA, do something! Your ridership is suffering!

Veronica Riviere

Democrats for felons

Brooklyn: Congratulations to Gov. Cuomo, who will give parolees (ex-cons) the right to vote, joining Virginia’s former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, also a

Gas hike coming

NORMAN Y. LONO Democrat. We now know former criminals are Democrats! Also, congratulations to the Daily News for endorsing Shelley Mayer for state Senate. This will be the second time in two years The News has endorsed a female candidate who could possibly take office and indicted in the same day. Right, Hillary?

Lydia DiBello Flushing: Ho-hum. It’s time for gasoline prices to go through the roof again. Each spring the crude oil inventory suddenly drops and gas prices climb toward the $4-per-gallon mark. Is anyone out there paying attention or is everyone in dreamland? Do the miserable politicians care about this or do we endure this price gouge on our own? Just asking.

Lester Simon

The News’ Orlando prize

Hartsdale, N.Y.: What a wonderful time we had in Orlando. Everything was perfect and I cannot convey my appreciation enough to the Daily News for this amazing prize! The Hyatt Regency was beyond comparison — the bars, restaurants, staff, location, spa, pools, hot tubs, rooms and more were just wonderful. All the arrangements were spot on — flights, car rental, hotel and spa. The weather was just as expected — sunny, mild and breezy. My husband and I relaxed at Coconut’s by the pool. Thank you again for this great contest and the prize I won! Lydia A. Ruth