This is complicated issue.

And..retails moving up to $1/50 per bag? I think consumers are willing to pay more to know the bags they use are safe .

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/12/winndixie-publix-reusable_n_782614.html

Click here to view the article

By Allison Cerra

LAKELAND, Fla. (Sept. 13) Publix last week announced a successful sustainability effort to recycle paper and plastic bags used at checkout.

The grocer said its campaigns to encourage the use of reusable bags, as well as donating reusable bags to nonprofits and partner organizations in its markets, have led Publix to save 1 billion bags. In 2009, the company’s overall recycling rate was 45%, Publix said.

“At Publix, we are fortunate to have customers and associates who are committed to sustaining our environment,” said Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations. “That’s why we focus on the responsible use of environmental resources and offering our customers and associates options when choosing paper, plastic or reusable bags.”

The company has offered in-store recycling of paper and plastic bags since the mid-1970s and introduced its first 99-cent reusable bags in mid-2007. Since the introduction, more than 13 million reusable bags have been sold at Publix locations.

click here to read full article

By Allison Cerra

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Sept. 10) Grocery chain Wegmans is replacing some of its reusable bags after a consumer group found the bags contained high levels of lead, according to published reports.

The bags, which retailed for $1.29 each, showed lead at levels eight times higher than permitted by New York law, according to the Empire State Consumer Project, which tested the bags.

Wegmans said it was posting notices in its 76 stores and are offering consumers a replacement.

click here to read full article

“Fazzino’s Fabulous NY Apple” is the first in a series of limited edition collectible bags made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials featuring the artwork of some of the world’s most renowned artists and designers.  A large, sturdy shopping bag featuring a set of long handles for over-the-shoulder transport, as well as a set of short handles for carrying the tote in-hand,“Fazzino’s Fabulous NY Apple” bag combines the ultimate in fashion and shopping functionality.  The bag is not only sized perfectly for carrying several bags of groceries, but is also great for books, toys, and much more.

“This is truly an exciting partnership of two New York City icons – The Food Emporium and famed artist Charles Fazzino. The “Fazzino’s Fabulous NY Apple” re-usable tote bag is not only a beautiful tote but it also supports an important cause as a portion of the proceeds of each bag helps MDA’s fight against neuromuscular dystrophy disease,” said Ron Marshall, CEO, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company.

Retailing for $7.99, proceeds from sales of the “Fazzino’s Fabulous NY Apple” shopping bag will go to MDA.  Those interested in this beautiful bag, can stop by one of The Food Emporium stores in New York City or order via phone at 212.381.0885.

For more information and the full story click here.

An article in the New York Times recently centered just on this subject.

Three years ago, San Francisco was the first city in the country to ban the ubiquitous plastic shopping bag, but it was quickly followed by Palo Alto and Oakland. These cities, and the Bay Area generally, were at the forefront of the movement to keep single-use, filmy carry-out bags out of landfills, out of the bay and out of the innards of marine mammals.

But now cities are reconsidering, in part because of lawsuits filed by opponents, but also because too many shoppers in San Francisco and Palo Alto simply shifted their carry-out purchases to paper sacks, which have environmental costs of their own. Plastic bags are still a target, but the bulls-eye is now widening to cover paper bags, too.

Read the entire article on the New York Times web site: Paper Bags or Plastic Bags? New Proposals Like Neither

Now their toothbrush packaging is also the mailer consumers use to send back their toothbrush for recycling

It is impressive how Preserve keeps innovating into the green space. Now their toothbrush packaging is also the mailer consumers use to send back their toothbrush for recycling. Very cool!

According to the article:

Preserve is covering the return postage on the first 250,000 toothbrushes sold, after that consumers will need only to provide a stamp to send their toothbrush back for recycling.

The mail back packaging is also made from #5 polypropylene with polyethylene for the perfect combination of weight and durability.

View the full article at Sustainable is Good.