My 2 cents... Some folks here who don't have bag fees in their areas have stated they would bring their own if they did have bag fees. Well, that's exactly the point. Many state and local governments have banned thin disposable plastic bags because they are a nuisance in many ways while also trying to get shoppers to alter their behavior and reuse the new, thicker allowed bags. Money is a good motivator, hence the fees.
Stores that charge a bag fee aren't doing it by choice. Their state or county REQUIRES the fee. The idea is that it will encourage people to reuse the bags. Again, money is a good motivator. Stores do get to keep the money from bag fees, though, imo, it justifiably helps them recoup the cost of the thicker bags.
Of course, things get a little complicated when you're dealing with pick-up orders. Stores need to estimate the number of bags an order will need because, again, they are required to charge for bags. They also have no way of reusing your bags in your absence. They could, say, put the order in a crate or two when they shop for it, then simply transfer it to the customer's car or bags piece by piece when they show up, then refund the fees automatically. Sounds time-consuming, but it could work. I only aim to illustrate the bind stores are in as many of these laws went into effect before the proliferation of grocery pick up apps and the like.
The success of these bag fees in motivating people to reuse as well as the positive effect the thicker bags have on the environment both remain to be seen. I believe that the entire idea needs tweaking and, of course, Covid certainly added its own complications to the mess, but you have to start somewhere.
On a side note: Target is the only store I know of that charges a bag fee ($.05) but will give you $.10 for every one of your own bags you bring and use. That seems the most sensible, progressive, and fair to me for in store shopping. After all, the entire point of a bag fee is to get you to reuse your bags.
