Plastic No More

Plastic bags are a menace to the environment. They require oil for manufacture, they fill up landfills, they clog our oceans and hurt marine animals, and they never biodegrade. And yet, in America at least, they are very prevalent. Every trip to the grocery store results in a dozen new plastic bags clogging my bag drawer and, eventually, my trash can. Several local stores will recycle the bags if you remember to bring them back, but to be honest I am not all that great about remembering to do so. Our local Superfresh has started pushing reusable recycled plastic bags, and we've bought many. But clerks at other stores just look at me like I am insane if I say I want the items put in my own reusable bag. Clearly we have a long way to go on reducing plastic bag use.

Ireland may have the right idea. There is a fascinating story in today's New York Times about the eradication of plastic bags in Ireland. Way back in 2002, before most Americans were even thinking seriously about environmentally friendly products, there was a campaign in Ireland to reduce plastic bag use. The bags were littering the streets and filling up landfills. Some companies started charging small fees for plastic bags (about 1 cent), but this just incensed shoppers. To really make a significant change, the government needed to get involved. Legislation was passed that put a 33 cent tax on each plastic bag. Suddenly, plastic bags were a significant added expense to a grocery shopping trip. Plastic bag use dropped dramatically, and most people switched to reusable cloth or sturdy plastic shopping bags. Now, apparently, it is considered slightly taboo to even use a plastic bag. Talk about a dramatic turnaround. Wouldn't it be great if the same clerks who look at me like I am crazy for using a reusable bag now were giving me the same look for daring to ask for plastic?