While most people can not imagine a single day without having seen or used plastic bags on the streets, in their homes, inside the malls, coffee shops, needless to say everywhere… some cities around the world are moving forward with the idea of banning plastics bags for one day to at least get started and spread awareness on the very issue.

Click out the following two links to read more about what’s happening:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/shopping_blog/2008/12/discounts-and-r.html

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/pontypridd-llantrisant/2008/12/11/ban-the-bag-call-as-town-leads-the-way-91466-22442559/

 No Frills charges five-cents per plastic bag to its customers and it looks like so will the many more retailers in Toronto.

 There has been an ongoing debate whether the city of Toronto should ban plastic bags and endorse reusable bags like some other cities in Canada.

Mayor David Miller and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors together proposed a deal to the City Council regarding the very issue. Click on the link below to find out about it.

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=5506b723-1a3b-4e8c-98cb-45efd1a27e17

The deal has now been finalized and starting June 2009, the shoppers in the Toronto area will be charged 5 cents per plastic bag every time they shop. Interesting! Find out more on the link below:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/547375

I learned that when I was 10.

Browsing through some articles the other day, I came across a story that recalled an early childhood memory. My grade 6 teacher told me that “nothing need go to waste.”

Back in the day, I didn’t believe it to be true but the story of The Book Man in New Brunswick has not only inspired me but changed my mind.

Click out the link below:        

http://www.canada.com/chilliwacktimes/news/story.html?id=00372efd-be8c-40ab-af3a-d1ec37481e3d

As you may (or may not) know Vancouver British Columbia city council has managed to put a ban on plastic bags. Also, Downey California is contemplating  a ban on plastic bags.  

Here are a couple of links that describe their efforts:

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/westcoastnews/story.html?id=53a6186c-2492-407f-a893-d53e07117c56

http://www.thedowneypatriot.net/view_full.php?article=0000004622

It’s an exciting time for the environment and it’s good to see people and cities standing up for the cause.

Wal-Mart stores in Mexico and United States have made an effort to reduce plastic bag waste and cost by introducing new and affordable reusable bags.

Check out this link:

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/thebigblog/archives/149720.asp

We hope that others are inspired to continue their push to reduce bag waste.

The press release header read : “Man Sits in World’s Largest Reusable Shopping Bag to Raise Environmental Awareness about Plastic Bags”

So naturally I thought it was a joke. It’s not, and I love every minute of this article. Creativity gets you everywhere in this world…

Sure, it’s been a while since I’ve blogged, but that doesn’t mean that nothing has happened! Quebec is considering a 20 cent tax for plastic bags, Loblaws in Milton, ON is the first retailer in Canada to not offer plastic bags at the checkout, and the Kerala government in India banned plastic bags.

But this story touches everyone. An English community is currently voting on designs for new cotton bags which will then be manufactured in Mumbai, India. The English community (Overton) is hoping to go plastic bag free by the end of November.

I know I’ve mentioned before how much I adore and respect the UK for many many reasons, but their environmental stewardship is certainly close to the top of that list. Now if we could only bring another batch of those Anya Hindmarch bags to North America…!