china plans plastic bag ban

Even though this ban isn't scheduled to take effect until June of this year, I'm thrilled that the Beijing Summer Olympics have caused China to look at it's various pollution issues under the scrutinizing lens of the rest of the world. Being the world's most populous country, I think that this move on China's part can only mean good things for the rest of the world, and I hope that other influential countries (ahem, the United States) will soon follow suit.

The story mentions encouraging consumers to 'return to carrying cloth bags' which I think is such a strong statement if only because it's too easy to forget that these plastic bags didn't always exist to carry our groceries and other goods in, and that they do overall more harm than good. And now, between all of the cute canvas totes, baskets, and recycled bags available (check out links to the right), it's all too easy, and fashionable, to avoid them and even paper bags altogether. Refuse a plastic bag when you can easily carry something to your car, or put it in your handbag. Encourage your friends and family to do the same (I certainly do!).


See the full A.P. story on China's plastic bag ban here.