Bio Bags makes wonderful biodegradable trash bags that can be composted. Check them out here http://www.biobagusa.com/. You can buy them at most Whole Foods.

People always make fun of me for reuseing water bottles or just drinking water from tap. This is a big reason on why I do it. My parents just started to recycle and I think them all the time for that. I hate seeing how people can be so careless. Yet all we can do is give a hand and clean up the mess that other people make.

First, I want to say that I am 100% in favor of banning plastic bags and charging for paper. I always use my reusable bags or just carry my purchase if I forget.

Having said that, I just want to point out to those who seem to be blaming cashiers and baggers for bagging wastefully that there is not much we can do about it if you don't tell us you'd like us to stuff them full. I'm a checker at a natural foods store and it makes me sick to use so much plastic, but it is what most people want and unfortunately I can't refuse without losing my job. We're trained not to pack bags super full because it makes most customers upset (it's either "too heavy" or they believe it will crush things, even though I absolutely know how to pack bags very full without squishing anything). I try to fit as much in a bag as I can but customers still whine at me all day long, so I have to take stuff out and use more bags. Some people seem devoted to using as much as possible, insisting on paper in plastic (even though our paper has handles and is sturdy), or double plastic, or double paper, for everything, even just a couple items that could easily be carried. A lot of people say they want as many bags as possible because they use them for pets and trash, etc. Jessica M, you said yourself you weren't paying attention, and that was the problem. We can't just assume you want only 1 or 2 bags, you have to tell us and we will be more than happy to oblige. It's absurd to call and get the cashier in trouble for doing what he or she was no doubt trained to do, when you could just as easily ask nicely for what you want.

Hope this bill gets passed as it as step in the right direction. We need more states to "step up to the plate" and implement this bill as well as develop additional bills regarding recycling and the ban of all items that do not biodegrade and harm our environment. I am sure these large corporations can develop and produce products that will not harm our environment. How did the consumers of 30,50 or 75 years ago live? They mananged without many of these harmful products. That should even include the food suppliers that have their products packaged in harmful containers. Other resources should be reconsidered even though this is probably not the easiest to accomplish. I do whatever I can to contribute to helping the environment. I am not perfect but I try to be aware. For example when I purchase cat food, the large bags, I will resuse those bags as a garbage bag. I typically purchase the biodegradable bags from buygreen.com but I have recently found that Wild By Nature and Whole Foods carry them as well. Of course I do use my own cloth bags when I go shopping. We all have to do our part in the change that is needed. It is just so upsetting to see how many people in this country do not care at all!! It makes my stomach turn when I see this. I could go on and on but will stop here.

The reusable bags are so much easier, and better for the environment. Buy a few, and whether or not they are made from trees or hemp won't make a difference. You'll be reusing the same bags for quite some time. Not to mention, you can also purchase trash bags that are made from biodegradable and recycled materials. I do, and they may cost a little more, but if we were more conscious about what we ate, how it was packaged, and what we throw away, we'd have less trash anyway. To me, the cost is worth it.

To the poster that asked about kitty litter - I use Feline Pine, with no bag in my cat litter pan, and scoop as necessary into biodegradable small trash can bags I bought from Amazon.com. I keep using the same bag until it's full, tie it up, and throw it out. Feline Pine is awesome for many reasons, not the least of which is that you can keep using the cat pan without changing the litter completely out for some time, without worrying about your cat getting overwhelmed with the smell. I highly recommend it.

@ Jessica M- This kind of bagging in grocery stores appalls me as well! I can't understand the mindset of using one bag for one item. If it is just one item, then why not just carry it without a bag? It's a mindset of this culture that must be changed!

I find it easier to politely ask the bagger to put all my items back into the carriage, and then bag them myself whether I've remembered my reusables or not.

@ Heidi Iannuzzi- The scary thing is the majority of people are still not paying attention! Again, it is a collective mindset that must be changed.

Thank you for this post. The ecology of the California coast is delicate and every little bit helps to restore it to it's natural beauty. I'm also a LA resident and applaud you for bringing this to the attention to all Kind Lifers. I sent an e-mail and hope the CSSF committee will be wise enough to pass this to keep our beaches clean and safe!

Europe has been on the reusable bag wagon for years, get on board US!!

@Lori... concerning the incentive/kick-back for bringing your own bags. I love what my co-op does. Instead of giving us money for bringing our own bags, for each bag we bring in, we are given a wooden coin worth 5 cents. Before leaving the store, you can drop your coin in one of three bottles that benefits regional non-profits (sometimes the effort is global such as after the earthquakes in Haiti and Chili. I'd much rather have the money saved do some good in my community. :)

I live in Ottawa and plastic bags were discouraged in place of cloth reusable bags in the spring of 2009. Plastic bags are still available for people who forget this for 5 cents each which encourages thereusable bags to be used. I agree that a different system could be adopted in other cities as well that use up a lot of these bags for groceries.

In Toronto, Canada we have to pay 5 cents for plastic bags. Most ppl just bring their own to the grocery store, or some grocery stores provide recylced boxes from products that customers can use to cart their groceries to their car.

The US needs to get on bored of the plastic bag ban!!! :) Good luck!

I use a biodegradeable litter bag as well as the kitty litter that biodegrades. They hold up while in the ltter box just fine (no leaking) and the kitty litter contains smells as well too. Find one that works both for you and you cat :-)