We've still got a long way to go with this wasteful habit, but I think a sea change has already come about. To be really honest, when reuseable grocery totes made their debut a few years ago, I didn't think anyone would use them. But many, many people use their own totes (including myself, a skeptic-turned-convert).

The worst thing about plastic bags is that they take a very long time to biodegrade in the environment, and no one has invented similar packaging which is less harmful *and* as inexpensive and convenient as the plastic bag. I believe that companies which have upgraded their packaging (such as McDonald's, which did away with their styrofoam clamshell boxes many years ago) deserve kudos and recognition for changing bad practices.

I just purchased a Harper Lee tote for my son's English teacher ( a male). He was very happy with his gift and it is something that he could definitly use!

Collective? I knew soon as I started reading this, it was going to be full of hippy Marxist "green" propaganda. Who wrote this article, Van Jones? You said and I quote "...we use non-renewable energy sources, like Oil and coal which are limited resources to make an item that is used once, then discarded into the waste stream only later to cause myriad problems." Well in our family, we don't see these bags as "one time use" item? We use them for taking clothes or food home from Nana's house. We use them for garbage bags in our bathrooms. Instead of buying thicker trashbags which probably take longer to break down in a landfill, these thin bags get plenty of use and they don't cost us a thing. Try using your paper bags in a small 1-2 gallon trash can... didn't fit well, did it? Paper bags? Naw, you can keep them.

Did the "Marxist" thing offend you or was it the comparrison to Van Jones? Face to Face like Men? Sure, why not meet me out at the next Tampa 912 meeting? We can talk about all the Millions of dollars Oblahblah has wasted on "Green Jobs", Solyndra and his other failures.

It seems that you are a very unhappy person. We know that the government wastes huge amounts of money and resources. Just look at the GSA debacle. You automatically assumed that my wanting to meet and discuss face to face meant violence. Your references to Van Jones and Marx do not offend me, I'm beyond that. Tampa 912 meeting? Never heard of it. when and where and what time?

Guys, let's keep it civil please. ... On another note, I remember reading about biodegradable plastics, or OBDs. Any retailers using those?

McDonald's does use biodegradable plastics, at least in part if not in full...which is a pretty responsible move for a big company. Ironically,before he/she started namecalling, 'KCF' had some good tips for being personally responsible on a household level. Re-using items you already have is *always* a smart idea. Whenever I get a plastic bag from someplace, I reuse it a few times for small trash receptacles or even taking lunch to work. If you're using a plastic bag, it's useful, not waste!

I want to address the biodegradable plastics again. A lot of places will not switch to the OBDs because of prohibitive costs. That's a big problem. Retailers know the customer demand is *there*, but OBDs have not come down in price enough to be a viable option yet. I'd like to know just how much they biodegrade on their own, personally. Most all discarded plastic ends up in the ocean, and after breaking down for some years, eventually become small pellet-sized beads, which leach pollutants into the water and get eaten by birds and fish. I guess my point is, if the OBDs can do better than that particular outcome, then they're worth using.

Why is it, whenever you call out someone on the Left, they say you must be unhappy? No Sir, I am not unhappy unless you're talking about being unhappy with the government wasting those huge amounts of money, but really that's an annoyance and doesn't make me "unhappy" in general. I am not too fond Obama flew to Michigan yesterday, made one speech for "Green Energy" at a plant and then went and made four campaign speeches, all on our dime. I'm none too happy the Democrat led Senate hasn't passed a budget in three years. I'd also say I am a little ticked off that in the less-than-three-years Obama has been in office, the federal debt has increased by $4.212 trillion--more than the total national debt of about $4.1672 trillion accumulated by all 41 U.S. presidents from George Washington through George H.W. Bush combined. The 912 is an off shoot of the TEA Party. We have meetings all over Tampa each week; you're more than welcome to join us. If you'd like to do a Power Point show on how these plastic bags are ruining our environment, I am sure people would love to listen. While we're banning bags, would you like to ban large sodas or salt in our food also? You want people to use cloth bags, tell Walmart, Publixs and the other stores to quit charging a $1.99 for each bag. On an average grocery trip, we'll usually have 15 bags which comes out to $30 for cloth bags. Make them affordable and maybe even this guy will use them. Just don't tell me I HAVE to use them.

Wanton*

Thank you for your Service, 20 yrs Air Force myself and you're starting to sound like a good ole Libertarian and I'm starting to like you. As for giving them away... that's a great idea. You should make a plea to the big stores to give away the cloth bags for next Armbor Day. Too bad it was just a little over a month ago. Maybe you're converting me.

KCF, thank you for your service. I knew that we'd find a common ground sooner rather than later. I just don't understand how the people up on the hill spend so much and squeeze us to pay for the poor. Lol... Libertarian, I'm just a citizen looking for a smarter way. And at the end of the day I believe we are on the same page. Thanks! Man.

To comment on the bags, sometimes they have give aways.They had one for a recent holiday. Sometimes if you spend X amount of dollars, you can get a bag for free. I'm not saying that they couldn't give more away for free but its a start.