This is the quintessential Whole Foods action - it makes them look good, it's pretty environmentally friendly, but it's not ideal, and it's not all they could be doing. It gets everyday people on board and downright confuses envrironmentalists. Is that good or bad? Who knows!

working as a cashier, i am often confronted by people who insist i bag their plastic-wrapped, plastic-bottled water, individual fruits and vegetables wrapped in plastic bags - even pre-wrapped veggies like lettuce get their own bags, (and other wasteful purchases) in paper bags "for the environment." its maddening because we use ultra-thin plastic bags, and if they were truly concerned about the environment, they could purchase reusable bags from us, or go down the street to walmart and shell out $1 per bag. they could pass on the bottled water, stop bagging produce (except quantity produce, like green beans) in the veg baggies, and trade in their SUV's (i'm in the midwest - Everyone drives a truck) for more fuel efficient vehicles, or opt for mass transit or other alternative transportation sources.

I'm all for this move as the plastic bags end up in waterways and the ocean. And as for remembering your bag - try the new super compact bags that you can store in your purse (or glove compartment). My new favorite accessory! www.reusablebags.com/store/shopping-bags-ultra-compact-c-2_6.html

I have many many bags - compact (container store for mine) or otherwise. (one is even insulated for cold goods)

A trip to Germany revealed that in their grocer you are required to purchase any bag you might need for your food -- $2E later, we were the proud owners of 4 reusable linen/canvas bag souvenirs. I get compliments every time I pull them out.

Is this move a magic environmental bullet? No. Is it a GIANT step in the right direction? Yes.

So, Ross (and others of his mindset) remember that these things take time. Steps. If it happens all at once then the people who don't care about their footprint will get all befuddled and then their heads would explode. And that's just messy.

I guess nobody takes into account those of us who re-use the plastic bags for various waste issues. I often can't afford expensive flushable litters and my apartment complex does not allow me to compost, so I do have need of trash bags. I am also required to pick up after my dog, so I have need of plastic bags for that as well. Because I get plastic bags for my groceries and keep my waste down, I haven't had to purchase a single trash bag, or poop bag for my dog in years. I always figured that it was better for me to do things this way rather than encourage further production of plastic bags by being a plastic bag consumer.

The ripple becomes a tidal wave. Let it pour!! This is awesome and I feel that it could be the only way to drive people away from the disgusting of habits.

Who's next to jump on the bandwagon.

PS: Was just in IKEA (montreal) the other day and talking with the cashiers about the 0.05$ charge on bags and how people were reacting to the move. They say that it has reduced consumption of the bags by at least 60%. Not a bad start, I'm sure it will only get better.

Whole Foods is making a fantastic statement, and will definitely reduce plastic reduction. An easy way to remember to bring a bag from home is just to keep one or two in your car.

If you still want to use plastic bags, you could always get some from your neighbors, cause not everyone shops at Whole Foods and uses their own bags.

I've always used extra bags to line trash cans, etc., too, but I'm still extremely happy with Whole Foods' announcement... and a little tired of people complaining "But I've always reused my bags, what'll I do now?!" Remember you were in the minority!! Think of the bigger picture--MOST people weren't reusing/recycling their bags, they were throwing them straight in the trash after one use, which is why only about 1 percent of bags were getting recycled. I'm constantly getting stuck in line behind soccer moms with full-to-the-brim shopping carts, which they inevitably have bagged in 30 separate plastic bags... and something tells me the mountains of bags those people go through AREN'T being carefully saved for cleaning up after the dog. In my mind, it's mass-plastic consumers like these that most need the wake-up call--if they can be encouraged to cut down on bag use by even a fraction, I'm betting it'll result in less total bag consumption, even if the new policy means a few of us have to start actually buying a tiny number of trash bags.

For walking the dog, btw, I find the plastic sleeves the newspaper often comes in work really well--and I don't see those being phased out terribly soon, unless we stop having rainy/snowy weather entirely. Similarly with the smaller plastic bags used for produce.

No, the new WF policy isn't going to save the world or end pollution tomorrow, but it's certainly a good step.

For the gal who uses plastic bags for her dog and cat poo: first, THANK YOU for picking up after your dog! Second, we actually get an abundance of plastic newspaper bags from coworkers for just that purpose. Also, they're less likely to have holes than the grocery bags, in my experience.

I just started carrying a compact reusable bag in my purse, which has really cut down on the number of grocery bags I take home. On my last shopping trip, I hastily stuffed my bag back in my purse when I realized I only had 1 bag worth of groceries, and I was out of paper bags - necessary for packaging my paper recyclables! Now I just have to find an alternative way to fill that need.

Actually, Maggie, that same issue troubled me as well. My girlfriend and I still have some plastic bags left in the apartment. I have to use those in the kitchen. Once those run out, I found some bags made out of corn starch. These were sold primarily as food storage bags, dry refuse, or even picking up doggie poop. I tried using these bags for kitchen garbage, and unfortunately they started composting within a few days.

While this is a good thing for the environment, it's kind of a hassle to have to check up on the garbage can in the kitchen and in the bathroom. I'd rather double bag that stuff right before tossing it out than scramble for a plastic bag. They are fairly expensive, but way good karma in the end.

Maggie,

Buying poop bags is the price you pay for owning a dog. We have two dogs and we manage to get biodegradable poop bags. Look online or ask you local pet store if they can get them.

I think this is great news from Whole Foods. Even though people still have the option for paper it will obviously make them think about maybe bringing their own bags. Our local Whole Foods now asks, "paper, plastic, or would you like a reusable bag for $0.99?"

Our local grocery chain recently posted signs on the doors of all of their stores asking if you've remembered your own bags. It seems really simple, but it's probably doubled the number of times I remember to bring my own bags.

How about charging 25cents per bag regardless type? In EU they do that.

Yea I always for got my reusable bag. Everytime I would buy something and get up to the check out i would cringe because i had forgotten my bag yet again. But, recently i bought this flip and tumble bag and its just soo easy to use and remember. I had a few compact reusable bags before but they were always so hard to put back in there little pouches. I think the key is to find a bag and a system that works for you in you everyday life.

I have mixed feelings. I'd prefer a "Buy a plastic bad or paper bag for $0.25 or but a reusable for $1" option at check out because I OFTEN forget my reusable bags.

When I don't use my reusable bags I reuse my plastic and paper bags for dog waste and mixed recycling respectively.

Last time I was at Whole Paycheck I fortunately remembered half way through my shopping that I'd left my reusable bag in the car, but all to often I've already got stuff on the belt when I realize I've left the bag in the car and it's too late.

Maggie (and anyone else) --

Check out http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/2247392/ . There is a video that explains how to set up a pretty cheap and easy compost in your apartment (or even a home). I have been doing this for about a month and it really works well.

Kudos to Whole Foods-- I think it is important for big companies to take the initiative to spur consumers into more eco-friendly practices. It is definitely a step, albeit small, in the right direction. Of course WF does realize the added marketing value of having consumers march around with their logoed bags everywhere. I am not into being a walking billboard, so I like to shop with my own bags from www.minusbags.com.

I think it is a good move but far from brilliant and far from timely. Some of us have been using reusable bags for years (thanks to being educated by friends overseas who were conscious about this long before anyone in the U.S. was.)
it is a little embarrassing how excited everyone gets about a move like this. We are way way behind in what we should be doing.

And Whole Foods still has so much waste and excess. I mean, in the NYC one they sell Whoopie Pies, this small little cookie, in those HUGE plastic clamshell packs that are not easy to get recycled anywhere (NYC does not recycle them.)

I worry about the corporate world taking over and starting to dominate the once-marginalized healthy and natural food
ecosystem. Why are we so eager to put our money into these huge, glamorous corporate ventures? Whole Foods opened in the East Village, NYC - - while the little mom and pop natural food shops are shutting down... the little stores that were ahead of the game and pioneered this healthy culture and gave us organic food access. And they sell many overpackaged products that they don't need to.

Also they are anti-union, which makes no sense considering all of the other ethics they claim to support.

I can appreciate some things about Whole Foods, and am glad that healthy and organic ideals have started to reach the mainstream.... but please everyone support your local smaller stores as much as you can. And yes, bring a cloth/reusable bag.

Regarding the difficulty of remembering one's reusable bags,
I venture to say that when we must pay for each bag we need from the store, our ability to remember will be magically enhanced!

As with so many of our efforts, we cannot afford to take years to gradually change our habits. It is imperative that we understand the crisis we face and look for solutions that will be bold and timely. Instead of each store deciding at some point to perhaps eliminate plastic bags, we should all be working for legislation to ban their use across the board in all states.

I have switched over to reusable bags since last year, but every once in awhile, I would ask for plastic bag at grocery stores since we run out of old plastic bags as trash bags. What do people suggest for trash bags besides reusing grocery plastic bags? Is biodegradable trash bags a good alternative? Any particular brand to recommend?

We also reuse plastic bags for food packaging; such as for bread, bagels etc. They tend to be pretty clean and are perfect for holding soiled diapers or small trash items.

This is one of those moves that was done with out too much thought on the urging of ill informed customers. Yes non-biodegradable plastic bags are bad, but there are biodegradable plastics being made right now. ( www.metabolix.com ) The short term consequence of not offering bioplastic bags is it forces them to switch to paper bags for the 99% of customers that show up at their stores. In my opinion paper bags are far worse than plastic bags for the environment. Even paper bags made from recycled paper contain at most %30 post consumer waste. Please read this article from the washington post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2007/10/03/GR2007100301385.html

I agree with Gail, we need to lobby public officials to implement bans on plastic packaging in general. Banning plastic bags is a good start, but we could be doing so much more. With science creating more biodegradable packaging products today, it is imperative we take action to have 'all companies' use them. This ultimately benefits the companies PR and net profit as well as the environment. We need to act now and force people that don't care (I know too many) to change their 'wasteful' lifestyles.

I'm going to miss the Whole Foods bags as trash liners too. I haven't bought Hefty bags in 20 years. I confess I hope that other vendors will maintain their use of plastic so I have a sufficient supply to line the trash (I'm required to use plastic in my building). I rarely just throw out a plastic bag - they are all reused.

I will consider Whole Foods is serious about the environment when they do something about the clamshell containers they use for fruit, eggs and other food court items. New York City, like most places, does not recycle these. I know it's hard to replace them but they have to be one of the biggest sources of plastic waste there is.