Governments across the globe are struggling to get others to think and act "green".  Recycling is here and Americans are facing new challenges at local markets.  Washingtonians are uncooperative as they are faced with a price for the bags to carry their purchases home in.  

Not too long ago every grocer used paper bags.  Once Wal-Mart became big and so many shoppers gravitated to that store, other merchants began using the plastic bags the same as Wal-Mart.  Many customers preferred paper and for a while they had a choice.  The clerks even ask "paper or plastic".  

Many found that the plastic bags were sturdy and the handles allowed them to carry more at one time.  This moved the shopper toward accepting the plastic bag more readily.

While many recycle, others do not.  Also many object to a bag fee/price because they already recycle.  That's like double taxation much like the IRS taxing your wages and then turning around and taxing your investment gains too.

Europeans have accepted the idea of providing their own bag/bags for their purchases.  In the US the merchants are so competitive they go out of their way to supply bags and even offer to take your purchases to your car.

The EPA claims that in 2008 the plastics waste measured 3960 thousand tons and barely one percent of recyclable materials were actually recycled.

In 2002 Ireland mandated a 15-cent bag charge and reduced the use from 328 to 21 per person approximately.  San Francisco banned plastic bags in 2007.  Los Angeles is proposing a 25-cent bag fee for paper or biodegradable and Seattle voters rejected an effort to charge a 20-cent bag fee.  Recycling is here, do your share avoid the extra fees.