In this report, there’s mention that checkout clerks at the chain of supermarkets called Progressive is meant to ask all customers purchasing less than three items if they really need a plastic bag.

Now, as it turns out, this approach hasn’t been working so well, largely because most clerks haven’t been asking the question. But it’s something I had never thought of before – sure, we can do consumer education all we want. We can publish news stories and really try to drive the environmental point home. But at the end of the day, what works best as a deterrant? That’s right. Guilt. Asking that question right on the spot makes consumers think about their actions instantaneously. I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that if all checkout clerks asked that question, we’d be able to reduce the use of more plastic bags than we can even fathom…

Despite the best lobbying efforts of a key group of people, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities recently decided to scrap their plan to implement a tax on plastic bags used. For some reason, my hyperlink option is not operational, but if you copy and paste this link into your browser, you can find the story: http://www.mapleridgenews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=46&cat=23&id=987712&more=

It would be a lie to say that I’m not disappointed. I had such high hopes for BC. It’s an option that’s been taken off the table though that doesn’t necessarily mean forever. Between Ontario’s voluntary ban, and Manitobans trying to catch up with their northern town of Leaf Rapids who were able to ban plastic bags entirely, I had a good feeling that British Columbia would be next with sweeping measures to save the planet. They still might be… but not quite yet.

The Canadian province of Ontario has just announced that they are implementing a voluntary ban on plastic bags, to cut the total amount used in half within 5 years. Sure, critics are blasting this announcement, calling it too soft, but that’s the joys of a voluntary ban. It’s trying to encourage people to change their behaviour and think about what they’re doing, rather than imposing guidelines on them that people will take a long time to get used to.

The McGuinty government has made a lot of unpopular announcements but this was not one of them. I think Ontario, assuming this ban is remotely successful (and I have a really good feeling about this one!) will pave the way for large population centres who are skeptical of this sort of approach. Plus, it warms my heart that finally, somewhere that I’ve lived is taking positive action!

Baby did a bad, bad thing.

I took the liberty of ignoring the exchange rate and did far more shopping in London than anyone should have. It was a combination between funny and sad – I was walking around Oxford Circus with so many bags in both hands that I looked like a local (or a Hilton). But in the midst of all my frivolous spending, I noticed that not one of these bags, whether from a High Street chain or a more upscale shoppe, was made of plastic. Wherever possible, I bought on of the reusable bags they were selling (cheap and easy souvenirs!) and the rest were made of paper (which I recycled immediately – I had enough trouble fitting the clothes into my already bulging luggage that I didn’t need the paper bags for extra bulk!)

So my whirlwind EuroTrip ends tomorrow and the conclusion that I’ve come to is that Europe does it better when it comes to the plastic battle. And they do it in a way that looks impossibly chic…