Plastic Bags - Ban, Tax or Recycle?

Plastic bags have been quite controversial for a little while now.  I remember a big push to use paper bags instead of plastic bags (also not good for the environment) many years ago.  Some U.S. Cities have banned or taxed the use of plastic bags. The article linked lists some of the cities who have successfully banned plastic bags or taxed the use of the bags.  The American Chemistry Council argues that recycling is much more viable because bans or taxing of plastic bags doesn't usually work (they don't get passed through legislation.)  

Of course, they are coming at it from a different angle than environmentalists.

I don't want to see plastic workers unemployed, but I know that plastic bags are one of the top polluters.  I also know that if plastic bags were banned and not available for me to use,  I would remember to take my own canvas bag every time I went shopping instead of just sometimes.  (And probably taxing bags at 5 cents each would help me remember...but, really what is 5 cents?)

Recycling plastic bags has been available for quite awhile - how many people actually do it?

What are your thoughts?

Reuse or Refuse Plastic Bottles

I shared a slide show earlier in the week about plastic polluting our ocean, here's another video about the how plastic is polluting our ocean and beaches.

Here's an informative article:  Plastic Ocean:  The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

On a more positive note, I found this fantastic artist who does sculptures with plastic bottles:  David Edgar, Plastiquarium.

He has also co-written a book, Fantastic Recycled Plastic. 

(Don't forget to comment on the giveaway post by tomorrow at 2 pm Eastern for a chance at B.B. Bellezza Recycled Plastic Earrings!)