Oakland is next on the California plastic bag chopping block, discussing the possibility of a ban on plastic bags and fining non-cooperative stores $500.

I have to say, I’m pretty proud of California. This has got to be the greenest red state I’ve ever seen. I mean sure I expected this from the northeastern states but all of these Californian municipalities are taking the lead from one another and banding together against plastic bags. It’s really great to watch all of this unfold – pretty soon, plastic bags will be so taboo in California that the trend will resonate throughout the rest of the nation, making it untrendy to carry plastic. We can only hope that Hollywood trends carry over to environmental issues as well!

There’s a group of nearly 2000 kids in Kingston, Ontario who signed a petition to their local government, encouraging them to ban plastic bags in all grocery stores in Kingston. Their teacher, while teaching them on how governments function, encouraged this petition and explained that despite the fact that they are far too young to vote, they still have the ability to affect change. These kids are hoping to inspire other municipalities by their actions, so I say kudos to them, and also a big kudos to this progressive and innovative teacher. We’ll be watching to see what happens…!

Once again, my hyperlink is dysfunctional but you can have a look at the story here: http://www.thewhig.com/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=580284&catname=Local%20news&classif=

The two largest cities in the state of Maryland – both Baltimore and Annapolis – are considering enacting bans on plastic bags. So now we’ve pretty much covered every corner of the country with potential bans.

Here’s the thing I don’t understand. I just don’t get why more governments and more cities don’t enact measures against the frequent use of plastic bags. It’s a measure and an announcement that costs the government NOTHING and gains them infinite popularity, assuming in their constituency the environmentalists outnumber the plastics lobbyists and advocates. And I’d make a reasonable guess that that is most places. So kudos to every city and town who is considering a ban or who has already done so… and to everyone else, what are you waiting for?

There’s a chance (though not a large one) that you, dear reader, have not yet picked up on my recent love affair with all things London. And sure it’s because of the suits and the accents and the men and their gallantry and Trafalgar Square and their (obnoxiosly) overvalued currency. But it’s also because they do things like this there. Stick a sign in the window, and suddenly your shoppers know that you’re going to have to ask for a plastic bag if you decide that you need one. This is all in hopes that eventually asking for a plastic bag will be a societal taboo. It’s just not cool to use plastic anymore in these shops. Well, at least plastic that isn’t of the Visa variety…