Reply #44: If you look at what is happening in the ocean, it becomes an easy choice.

[robinlynne]

Recently a whale starved to death because it ate so much plastic. It does not biodegrade, os it is left here on earth for well over a thousand years. It breaks down into little pieces, which are then eaten by animals. they think ti si food because it looks like food. the animals die with bellies full of plastic. It is happening all voe r the world. You need to have 6 bags. you buy them once and they last forever. I bought a pretty set I like, so I would use them. They live in my car. then it is just a matter of turning it into a habit. I store all the bags in one bag, so they're always there and easy to grab. After a while it becomes a habit like brushing your teeth. you'll find you already have old purses and things you can use. Or even just reuse the paper ones from the grocery store.

banning them is an obvious yes. there are now alternatives to plastic, made with other fibers which will biodegrade (corn fibers I think) . they cost more than cheap plastic bags. if you want the luxury of a new bag every time you shop, pay the price. but anything used just a few times should have to be biodegradable.