I’ve never seen one of those beefy reusable carrier bags blowing around on the side of a road.

"a cotton bag should be used at least 7,100 times to make it a truly environmentally friendly alternative to a conventional plastic bag."

The point is not that it helps or doesn't help, the point is "we have to do something!"

Just like it is obvious from a breakdown of the data that is beyond stupid to send one giant diesel burning truck to pick up "garbage" then another giant diesel truck to pick up tin cans and cardboard at a net energy loss. Of course, it is impossible to stop this even if it would be rational thing to do.

"we have to do something!"

Reusable bags carry as much weight and volume as multiple disposable bags. And yes, you can use them hundreds of times. I have used mine every week for years and years.

Disposable plastic grocery bags are wasteful and pointless, and those defending them so virulently come across as bafflingly pathetic.

Require the stores to offer a free paper bag, and allow them to offer an upsell to a handled paper bag.