Lots of people do re-use their plastic bags, but many, many more just stick them in the trash. They are a detriment to the environment and a blight on the landscape.

I’m not sure why you think that people will have to spend more time, money and energy carrying their groceries. The reusable grocery bags are a very small investment -under $10 can buy enough for a full week’s worth of groceries, but it’s still money so I can get the more money part. But they hold so much more than the plastic bags and I now make fewer trips from car to kitchen carrying in my bags. I don’t see how anyone would spend more time or energy carrying their packages.

For those who don’t have reusable bags, the stores will still have paper bags to offer.

Will this solve the other oil problems we have? Of course, not. But I see them as two separate problems to conquer. The plastic bag problem is certainly an easier problem to solve, so let’s solve it.

Thanks for your comments. They’re always welcome.

Banning the use of plastic bags is an environmental red-herring. so what’s worse, throwing away oil in the form of plastic bags, or pouring oil into the atmosphere in the form of car exhaust? if there’s one thing oil is good for, it’s for making plastic.