I know I could switch litters (I still use the horrid clay clumping stuff. Yes, I know. But all this added expense for the green stuff adds up, ya know?) to a flushable one, but I’m not so sure that flushing it ends up being better. Then there are the biodegradable bags, but I’ve read those don’t degrade under landfill conditions (no O2). Then there is the pet poop composting option. Ew. And I live in the city, with a tiny yard, somehow I think the neighbors might complain. Recently I saw a cat crap version of the diaper genie, which would mean one bag a week or so instead of seven. Is there a better way?

While I have no problem with taxing things like plastic bags, there are now talks of a similar tax on chewing gum, which is a scourge to remove from footpaths (sidewalks), etc. However, as someone who chews gum but never throws it on the ground I wonder if I should be taxed…..? I realise the same could be said for plastic bags, but there was no right way to dispose of them and they were being handed out too liberally. The tax was used as a disincentive to use plastic bags, whereas the chewing gum companies won’t want people to stop chewing! Some of the larger stores in Ireland began to offer free bags (ie took on the cost themselves) which may happen with gum companies. Another problem that has arisen here is that many stores now give paper bags which don’t have a tax….I suppose they can be recycled more easily but use a lot of energy in production. They also burst when it’s raining over here!!

I think San Fran is going the right way in identifying that there is a problem, but possibly there are more advantages in a tax as people see the value of items that would have been disgarded otherwise.

Last night we watched SUPERSIZE ME on MSNBC–we were aware of the dangers of McDonald’s but were tersely reminded of the horrid health dangers as we watched Morgan Spurlock’s mental and physical health deteriorate over just the first 12 days of his every-day for 30 days McD’s diet.

Thank you for the reminders and hints, which I see are so prescient, that you post each day.

I am a new fan and will tell others.

Good samaritans can give a quarter or their cart to another shopper to just be nice. That’s what I call a good investment - 25-cents to have someone smile and thank me for my generosity!

Trader Joe’s stores also registers shoppers who bring their own bags for a grocery give-away. I have never won the prize, but I love telling people why I got to participate in the drawing.

Finally, I’m no expert here, but I bought a removable basket for my grocery-getter bicycle. It holds LOTS of library books, lots of groceries, etc. I don’t buy milk, but it’s a suitable size to hold two gallons of milk. The basket was about $30, but it’s been a fantastic investment!!

http://www.geocities.com/quibblerscribbler/Recycled_plastic_bag.html

Make this pattern less cutesy and avoid the flower. I’m sure with some more Google-ing one could discover other patters to her or his liking. A plastic bag plastic bag - it’s like a never ending mirror, but useful.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AK_BAG_FEE_AKOL-?SITE=AKFAI&SECTION=HOME

Last week I was talking to my mom (who is a staunch republican who drives a big truck) and she actually said she didn’t like plastic bags and wanted an alternative. She went to reusablebags.com and found herself some recycled bags all by herself! I’m so proud of her :-)