On Feb 8, 11:03*pm, "V-for-Vendicar"
wrote:
"Jeff Strickland" wrote

Back then, the problem was paper bags eating up trees at an alarming rate,
so they came up with plastic bags because of ENVIRONMENTAL concerns -- *
paper eats trees, eating trees is bad for the environment, so let's use
plastic and save the trees. Not a bad argument as arguments go, and I
generally answered the question, "paper or plastic?" with, "plastic,
please."

Virtually all of my groceries come home in cloth (probably hemp) bags, and
have done for the last 15 years. *Same bags every time.

They are great because they clasp shut and can be carried on the sholder.
They are the perfect size, capable of holding about 20 lbs each - *extremely
strong, durable, washable, and usable for a variety of other purposes.
Unfortunately they have become worn and I can't find similar replacements.

A few days ago I picked up a reusable tarp like plastic bag. *Inferior but
still reusable and made from 100% recycled materials.

Bag cost me a buck.

While I am no fan of Wal-Mart, reps came to my childrens school and
gave a propaganda speech and each child recieved a reusable shopping
bag that is (according to the tag) "100% recylable, is made from 85%
recyled materials, is made from approximately 4 plastic soad bottles,
can replace 50 shopping bags and can carry the same weight as2-3
plastic shopping bags". Wal-mart states they have "a goal of zero
waste by 2025 in all Wal-Mart and Sam's Club stores." It's a start I
guess.