i hate plastic bags...

I really do hate them. They are more of a nuisance and even more of an environmental problem.

Well, Ireland, the country not me, has come up with the solution and it's working. EACH plastic bag at a store costs 33¢! That's right. Customers are charged 33¢ for every plastic bag used in a store. The change has been so dramatic that use went down 94% in the first year of the tax and it is now considered a social faux pas to be caught with a plastic bag.

The New York Times reported all of this in a story today entitled Motivated by a Tax, Irish Spurn Plastic Bags.

They mentioned that the movement hasn't taken hold very well in the U.S. cities that have tried to do it. Whole Foods, along with other environmentally aware companies, are beginning to charge or refuse to carry them. Actually, Whole Foods here in Chicago, and I assume that it's true in all their stores, actually give customers 15¢ off their bill for each cloth/reusable bag they bring in with them.

I made the switch quite awhile ago and it really is much more sensible and even more practical. [The only problem I have is sometimes I forget to put them back in the car.]

The best part was that the bags originally only cost $1.00! They also hold more and they never tear. They are made of canvas.

Housewives in France long used this type of bag but got away from it over the years because of American influence. Of course, in Europe, they don't shop like Americans.

They don't buy for the week as we do. They buy food as they need it, almost always on a daily basis. It not only is more practical but freshness is assured. Instead of buying a pound of ham, it is sold in packages of 4-6 planches - slices. How many times have you bought an entire pound of ham only to end up throwing some of it away because you forgot there was any left? It went bad. I've done it too many times to remember.

I've taken to shopping twice a week over the last couple of years and found that not only do I not throw bad food out, I'm actually saving money with fresher food.

so, please, start hating plastic bags and buy yourself a few $1 canvas ones.