I wish they would do this in in every state. = )

What an insane waste! There's no good reason why we should use 'one-use' bags.

I would never use them, but I haven't figured out a better way to clean the kitty box!  Plus, I use them in little trash cans.  What do you guys do for those things?  I think styrofoam should be illegal, too!  It's bad for the environment to make and to use.

For me, I personally don't support this only because plastic bags are NEVER one use for me. We get them and store them and use them for at four or five things before eventually 'tossing' them. When we 'toss' them, I still use them for something else like art projects, scraps, etc. 

I love the idea of this bill but think that it's more important to shift the mindset rather than charging for it. 

Just my opinion, Kind Lifers! 

Yes Dana I agree, we need this in every state!

This is an urgent bill! To find out how you can help, click here:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Ban-the-Bag-California/125706707473859?ref=ts

Call your senator today and leave a message. I did it yesterday. Every call is counted in their call ledger!

This is great my city wasn't on the yes, no or won't be voting list at all.

So I sent them a letter stating to support the Bill.

Thanks,

Alicia for the post.

It's time that the whole world gets their act together and in force this. I sometimes (but rarely) use plastic bags, but I ALWAYS always reuse them.  

I haven't used palstic bag in years, they charge for them at stores here  in Calgary. Although it is not yet banning them it is a step in the right direction, even people who don't care about the enviroment (shocking they do exist) leave with out plastic bags because they don't want to pay. So it's a win win!!

I voted YES . We need to stop this waste NOW !!

hmm ... i'm just thinking we should "reward" enviro-friendly behavior ... such as ... give me a 2-5% off my purchase if i use eco friendly bags. How many would use those bags to get a discount ... the environment gets a break and so do I!

It is certainly time to ditch the plastic bags. It seems America is always a step behind the rest of the world when it comes to be ecologically friendly.....In Europe you have to pay for plastic bags.....Also in parts of Australia and the Aussies brought in the reusable material/plastic bags over 10 years ago. come on America, get with it!

Lori -- Whole Foods does kick back when you BYOB, just not to that degree (yet). I've carried my own bags into grocery stores for years and will often shop with my bags aisle-to-aisle vs. getting a cart.  I saw a gal loading her Old Navy purchase into a Trader Joe's canvas bag and was so impressed.

The Kaua‘i County Council passed an ordinance that will outlaw single-use plastic checkout bags from all island retail establishments. Retailers around the island from Waimea to Haena, and plate-lunch spots to supermarkets will be required to offer only biodegradable plastic, 100 percent recyclable paper, or reusable tote bags. The bill, soon to be signed into law, will go into effect on Jan. 11, 2011, the same day a similar ban will take effect on Maui. The Kauai bill differs from the Maui bill in that it allows for biodegradable bags, which it defines specifically as a bag with no petroleum-derived content, where as the Maui bill bans all plastic bags.

Offenders will be fined $250 per day for the first notice of violation, $500 per day for the second notice within 365 days of the first, and $1,000 per day for subsequent notices after 365 days. The long-term hope is that all single-use bags will be phased out. The county also purchased canvas shopping bags and distributed for free two per household.  We also have reusable canvas bags that we leave in our BNB so that our guest will be prepared when shopping around the island.

Some stores here also give you a credit when you bring your own reusable bag. Glad to see other states taking responsibility, and thank you Alicia for bringing up a very important topic.

Please kind lifers let's make this happen!! What I use are those little chico bags that fold right up into an attached pouch. They're so easy because if anyone else always forgets their bags like I usually do, I just pop a few into my purse and I never even notice that they're there until I'm at the store and I remember that I actually have my own re-usable bags with me. And yes we all do have the occasional mess up, like not bringing enough or just plain old forgetting them, but let's ll at least try our best.

Sadly though I can tell you all that china in my experience does not ban plastic bags. I was recently just there and anytime you buy anything, even one item, the shop keepers will give you a bag. I brought my own shopping bags and they thought I was so strange. So let's get this bill passed and get at least california in the right direction!