ZDad: I mentioned shopping being done by foot, specifically on the spur of the moment, then it’s impractical. It’s not such a big deal to stash a few bag in your car. No one wants to lug empty bags around all day so that they can perhaps drop in for groceries on their way home from work, presumably first using mass transit. I’m not saying you shouldn’t use reusable bags if they work for you, and perhaps the paper bags can be sturdy as well. But to legislate it, is a whole different story.
And it’s kind of ironic when NYC is trying to limit the cars on the road (Midtown Manhattan is just the beginning, these laws work like Pharaoh’s did) with crazy tolls passed in the same budget. Reusable bags are not really compatible with the very mindset NYC is trying to cultivate. Unless buying a new bag or three every time one does grocery shopping is considered environmentally friendly…
And if more than one family member might do the shopping at any given time, on the way home from school etc., having bags on hand for everyone becomes more than just a small inconvenience.