Let's ban plastic shopping bags

Just recently, the nation of China banned free plastic shopping bags and called for a return to the cloth bags of old -- this action largely welcomed by merchants and shoppers alike.

Tell me, when do we here in the United States get the picture and follow suit? When will there be a time when the plastic shopping bag is history?

Merchants here won't do it on their own, stating cost issues. This directive must come from the state and or federal governments.

We understand how much oil it takes to make the bags and their negative impact on the environment. It's time for the United States to ban the plastic shopping bag and do it now.

You can do your part by demanding paper bags at the grocery stores and bringing a canvas tote bag with you to other retailers. There is a strong push for this action in California and if this is done on a nationwide basis, retailers will get the picture and perhaps legislators will do the right thing.

Mark Stastny

Rolling Meadows