China's outta the bag

According to the Environmental News Network (via Reuters), the biggest maker of supermarket-style plastic bags in China is shutting down.

The Chinese government actually announced a ban on the flimsy bags as part of its pre-Olympics clean-up. An official state website proclaimed:

"Plastic shopping bags, due to reasons such as excessive use and inefficient recycling, have caused serious waste of energy and resources and environmental pollution."

Many doubted the ban would have much effect, or be enforceable. But with Suiping Huaqiang Plastic Co. Ltd. closing its doors, maybe plastic shopping bags are truly on their way out in China.

Now, if we could only get rid of them in the U.S. Whole Foods markets and the city of San Francisco have ditched the urban tumbleweed. More cities are looking into plastic bans or taxes, and grocery stores like Safeway (on the west coast) give you cash back when you bring your own bags.

If China can do it, so can we! Equip yourself with handy reusable bags and you'll never have to worry about choosing between paper or plastic again.