Plastic bags handed out in stores are about the least sustainable product that's not needed. In many countries you bring your own bags, more because it's the social norm than for ecological reasons, to be sure, but it serves the purpose nonetheless.
I belong to the Park Slope Food Co-op, and even in that über-correct atmosphere, "bring your own bags," is merely suggested, not enforced. Which is strange given the passions aroused by less important issues there. Bags are readily available at the checkout counter, and you're on your own recognizance to pay 5c for each; many people do not. I would guess about half the shoppers bring their own bags, which of course if 100% more than in your average grocery shop.
So it seems that coercion is the only way to wean us off plastic. And why not ban them entirely? Modbury, in England did just that; read this amusing story about how the addition of local peer pressure ensures that even non-residents conform ("it's OK, she's reusing it, she's allowed to bring it into the town!") Ah, the power of shame, an unfortunately lost art! Here in the US, San Francisco has banned plastic bags for larger stores, which is a step in the right direction.
In the meantime, if you don't like the Co-op's boring stone washed string bags, or you just want to be cool and green, check out EnviroSax, a company new to the US which is selling "artistic" reusable bags.
Greenoptions.com writer Victoria E. interviewed the founder of Envirosax, Belinda David-Tooze here.
Our eco-chic totes are about as far removed from the average shopping bag as is artistically possible and we challenge the lack of stylish or fashionable eco-friendly shopping bags available...Each bag is able to carry the equivalent of 2 supermarket plastic shopping bags or 44 pounds in weight...Polyester was chosen so the bags can be printed with several colours, which cannot fade using the process of sublimation...We have been looking closely at the new Eco Intelligent Polyester. Our online store in the USA goes live the end of next week
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