April 22: The End of Plastic?

Could this be the end for plastic bags?

Whole Foods has announced their goal to eliminate all plastic grocery bags by Earth Day (April 22). The grocer, which features natural and organic foods, said it hoped shoppers would bring their own reusable bags, but would offer 100 percent recycled paper grocery bags when needed.

Why are they doing this? According to the natural foods retailer, it takes more than a thousand years for bags to break down in a landfill and a reusable bag can be used thousands of times, sparing Mother Earth the waste.

We can't help but think that the market is setting a good example, and that we as consumers should follow their Earth Day initiative to curb our own plastic bag use — be it when we're traveling abroad or simply commuting to work. After all, bringing a bag is increasing trendy around the globe, and don't we want to be up on the trends?

The New York Times recently reported that "a rising number of governments and retailers are banning plastic bags, or discouraging their use, because of concerns about their environmental impact." San Francisco banned plastic bags in supermarkets and pharmacies last year, and Beijing has completely banned free plastic bags starting June 1. New York City is offering plastic bag recycling for retailers. Australia's government launched a program to reduce plastic bag use in 2004 and are currently looking to either ban them outright or start charging customers per bag. And since Ireland instituted the "plas tax" in 2002, they've seen a 90 percent drop in plastic bag use as well.

Need a suggestion for where to get your own stylish tote? Check out some of these websites for chic, eco-friendly options:

Baggu: For either $8 a pop or $38 for a pack of six, this bag is made of super-strong nylon and comes in eight different colors. The bags are definitely bright and big enough to be used for more than just groceries.

Envirosax: Choose from the graphic or organic (bamboo, linen, and hemp) series. Graphic bags are $8.50 or $37.95 for a set of five, and organic bags start at $22.

Reisenthel: Their carrybag is modern take on the wicker shopping basket, with a durable pop-up polyester and aluminum frame; get one for $34.99 at The Container Store. I love their fold up minimaxi tote, which fits into a purse and unfolds to hold 2 liters worth of groceries; available for $4.99 at The Container Store.

For more cute bag designs, check out Reusablebags.com, or have your own designed for you at onebagatatime.com.

 

Comments

[Noah]

For those in the DC area, make sure to stop by the National Book Festival this summer down on the Mall. They give away these huge yellow nylon bags that are pretty much the best shopping bags I've ever come across. And you can just take as many as you want!

Plus, you know, there's book stuff too, I guess.

[csbmonkney]

Here in SF, pharmacies still use plastic bags, actually. Big grocery stores are the main target of the ban it seems. That is the only place I have noticed the change. But I still get plastic bags whenever I go to Walgreen's.

[Amy @ The Q Family]

It's a good news that now being Green is in fashion. I hope it will last. Also there are more economical option for the reusable bags. Most of the grocery now carry their own version of bag for $0.99. I think it's important to emphasize that being green doesn't have to break the bank.

[Suz]

Several countries in Africa have ALREADY banned plastic bags for their whole countries. I'm glad to see proported "First world" countries joining in.

Good for Whole Foods. Of course, they'll now make a HUGE profit on reusable bags, but that's really not saying anything.
Are they going to ban the plastic bags they use to put bulk items in as well?

[Wendy]

These are so easy to make yourself. I made 10 grocery bags out of one sheet and a bunch of produce bags out of sheer curtains.

It's so simple, even my 9 year old was able to do them.