A better idea is "made in China"...

Only a few of these messy, polluting, oil-depended, non-decomposing things ever make it into a recycling center. Billions find their way into the dump where they sit in our soil for up to 1,000 years. But hey, for 30 minutes of those 1,000 years, we got to carry home some oranges and a loaf of bread. Sigh.

I can't believe I am saying this, but, way to to go China!!

San Francisco is considering the same:
San Francisco Leaders to Consider a Ban on Plastic Grocery Bags

Whole Foods, my favorite grocery store for our family, will no longer be stocking plastic bags soon. (One story here) They will still offer paper bags, a cleaner, more renewable resource...or the best option is to purchase one of their super sturdy, spacious, collapsible and reusable grocery totes for just $1. They fold up small enough to fit in my diaper bag, yet spacious enough that they hold more than a regular paper grocery bag...and no more ripped paper handles to worry about while your tomatoes roll across the parking lot. ;)

If must be convenient for someone to stop "needing" oil-dependent, polluting, disgusting products, it doesn't get more simple, easy, affordable, and convenient than this.

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4 comments:
Plain Foolish said...
Ha! My grocery bag is super cute. (My clothes may be plain, but my shopping bag is cute? Some people have no sense of priorities, I tell you.)http://wrapsacks.com/totesheart shaped when it's all zipped up, and regular shopping bag (but with nicely sized handles) bag when unzipped. And it's got a little change pocket for when I'm at the farmer's market. And no, I don't get paid by these guys, though they are welcome to send me more bags if they choose.
January 10, 2008 6:54 AM

Plain Foolish said...
Oh, and for those with plastic bags in need of a use for them, they can be cut into a "yarn" and crocheted into a really sturdy tote. http://www.marloscrochetcorner.com/round%20plastic%20bag%20tote.htmlHaving done this, though, I strongly suggest doing it with a different, very easy on the hands project to alternate with, because crocheting with the plastic bags is very hard on the hands - no stretch at all - even cotton is easier. On the other hand, you're reusing materials that might otherwise go to waste, and the tote (I admit I didn't use the pattern above, I just sort of got out my K hook and made a solid round bottom and a few rounds up the sides then worked a mesh like Irish lace up the sides. It's my heavy duty tote, and totally sturdy.
January 10, 2008 11:19 AM

crafty fox said...
I'm glad you brought this up. So many people think nothing of it because it's such a common item, like plastic water bottles - aaarrrgh! They should at least charge money, like $1, to get people thinking.
January 14, 2008 11:02 PM

Am said...
Bangladesh banned plastic bags a few years back and it definitely cuts down on the garbage in the streets (although it doesn't eliminate it and a few scofflaw stores still use plastic bags.)In Bangladesh, the plastic drains were clogging sewers and killing sea life. Augh!
February 6, 2008 12:00 PM