I’d like to see the price of plastic bags increase significantly. I know that I have about 20 lying (I through away quite a few every couple of months) around in in my flat, the only reason for this is that because they are so cheap I tend to forget to take one when I go shopping, so when I forget to take one, the impact is a lot more. 5 cents is not enough. Here in The Netherlands I don’t even know how much I pay for a plastic bag but a heavy price tag will definitely make me remember to bring my own when I go shopping

http://www.epa.gov/region1/communitie…

They should do something that not only encourages less bag usage or reuse of bags, but the recycling of plastic bags.

Plastic bags create significantly less pollution when you make them, as well as using significantly less energy to recycle, when compared to paper.

Ideally, everyone should be able to use all the plastic bags they want when shopping; however they need to start reusing or recycling them. If IKEA gave customer’s a $.05 credit for every plastic bag they brought to the store for recycling, then I think you’d see a major impact.

I applaud Ikea for taking this green step.

If people aren’t willing to do the right thing on their own, then I say, bring the issue to their wallet.

Here in Finland a plastic bag costs around €0.15 and it would be crazy not to charge for them. It costs money (and is an extra burden to the environment) to produce them, so why should they be free? I use to keep a couple of strong textile bags at hand and curse every time I forget to take one with me when I go shopping. I hope the idea will catch fire in normal grocery stores in US as well, I guess that’s where most of the bags are consumed.

Plastic bags have never been “free.” They have always been factored into the price of every item you buy. Now that IKEA is directly charging customers for each bag, will they lower their prices?

Whole Foods sells textile bags on the cheap and I think you save 30 cents or something each time you use one.

Also, I reckon that other, more populous, countries besides the US account for using plastic bags as well (China? India?), but that’s just a hunch.

I completely agree with you IronZerg. I am a firm believer of positive reinforcement. If IKEA would have incentives for their customers recycling IKEA bags or other plastic bags (even other recyclable goods) when they come to shop, I think people would be more inclined to listen and recycle. Doing the right thing is contagious, especially when packaged right! I believe that most people genuinely want to do the right thing, so why not give them the tools to do so?

This video: Just say No to Plastic bags, is simple and ilustrative I recommend you watch it and circulate it. http://truths.treehugger.com/video/ju…

I think that stores like Wal-Mart, Target, etc should implement policies where if only one or two items are purchased then the items aren’t bagged. There is no need for for a bag when you purchase a cd, magazine, pack of gum, or other small item.

Ikea is one of the leaders in environmental responsibility as far as I am aware. Their website even has a few pages dedicated to their commitment, from chemicals used, the packaging, the raw materials, and by training every employee/colleagues continuously on environmental issues. I will never shop at Ikea’s competitors, until they can catch up. I love their commitment! *Tarrah

Yes, this is definitely important. I live in San Francisco and the city decided to outlaw the plastic bag. I think Ikea is on the right track. Just make it expensive to get one so you’ll bring your own!

I just carry my own canvas shopping bag