Wal-Mart May Remove 9 Million Plastic Bags from the Waste Stream - Big Whoop

I’m in a foul mood today, people. The government is in talks to give away 700 billion dollars to companies who have proven to be irresponsible with money. The entire blogosphere is whining about Senator McCain being in Washington trying to do a job he was elected to do instead of being at a debate that could easily be pushed back a week. I would expect every official who the people have elected to do a job to be on that job in a crisis of this magnitude. I’m usually pretty easy going, but this has just set me off.

And so today when I read about Wal-Mart saying it will “potentially” cut its plastic bag usage by 1/3 by the year 2013, where I might normally say “good for them,” I’m saying, “big deal.” You might cut your plastic bag usage by 1/3 in five years. Big whoop.

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There are so many problems that are difficult to fix when it comes to the enviroment. But the whole plastic bag problem is really not that hard to fix. Stores can just stop using them like Whole Foods has. Or, if you feel you must offer them to your customers, charge them for the bags. Just ask Ikea. When they started charging for plastic bags, people found they didn’t need them so much.

I know that Wal-mart is making some impressive strides towards being more sustainable. I understand that they are only stocking their shelves with concentrated laundry detergent which is more environmentally friendly because it uses less water and less packaging. I know that they have placed green roofs on some of their stores. Those things are to be commended. But this possible 1/3 reduction in plastic bags just seems like placing a bandaid on a severed limb. A good intention but just not good enough.

What do you think? Do you think this is impressive? Or are you all cranky like me today and saying, “Big Whoop?”

Image courtesy of flickr

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