Safeway stores in Breckenridge, Colorado have recently placed employees outside their store to remind shoppers to bring their own bags! 

In addition, "Summit County is winning the competition against all Colorado ski towns to see who can use the least plastic and the most reusable bags. The winning community gets $10,000 towards their school system."

The city of Phoenix has found a way to save nearly $30,000.00 a year, as well as help residents rid the cabinets of used, unwanted plastic bags. The city has asked that city residents fill dog waste receptacles in city parks with their old plastic bags, allowing every city resident to utilize the bags for their dogs' waste. 

The City of Seattle has decided to put a plastic bag tax of $.20 to the voters.  This is the first time voters are being given the opportunity to decide what to do about plastic bags in their communities.  Already the issue has become incredibly contentious in Seattle with many green coalitions standing up against petroleum companies and the American Chemistry Council.

"Hawaii’s Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, designated by President Bush, may be the next stop [for plastic bag waste].

At ConservingNow.com we like to provide you with up to date information on plastic bags. Most of the time we gather links and information so you can explore the issue on your own time or in your own neighborhood. Every so often a story comes by that we feel is important to share the entire story with you.

Today's article from CNN is one of those stories.

In 2005, Rwanda banned plastic bags less than 100 microns thick and backed this up with public awareness campaigns.

The black plastic bag has disappeared from the capital of Kigali. Additionally, in 2004, thousands of people were encouraged to take the day off work to help pick up some of the plastic bags which littered the country.

Much of the focus of this blog has been about cities around the world. What about a city closer to home - what about closer to your home?

After exploring many options to discourage citizens and retailers from using plastic bags, in 2002 the country of Ireland decided to charge all consumers a small amount of every plastic bag they used to bag their groceries.

The New York Times noted that much of the success in Ireland was do to the will of the people.

The citizens of Ireland wanted to use less plastic bags. During this same time, cloth or reusable bags have become incredibly popular and trendy. Additionally, Ireland is said to have a young population, eager to adopt measures in support of environmental benefits.