Ikea makes you think about real COST of plastic bags

I am changing my mind about Ikea these days. I used to think of Ikea as a store to buy college dorm quality furniture and short-term decorating items but after further consideration I have changed my mind.

First, I like the fact that most of Ikea products are made around the world and not in China. Yes, there are a few made in China but there are more products made in Sweden, France, Germany, Czech Republic and more! The products are good basic quality - equal or better to their China-made counterparts found at Target, Walmart and Crate and Barrel.

Second, I like what they are doing about plastic bags and the environment. Ikea is charging you for a plastic bag and encouraging you to carry a reusable bag. Last year Ikea gave away 70 million bags in the United States. This year they hope to cut the number in half by charging for them. Ikea will donate proceeds from sales of the bags to American Forests, the nation's oldest citizens conservation group. American Forests will use the money to plant trees and offset C02 and cool the globe. Ikea is charging 5 cents per bag or you can buy one of their blue Ikea reusable bags (they are huge and strong) for 59 cents. I now own 2 of the Ikea resuable bags and like them. I like what Ikea is doing for the environment so I hope to tell more people about it when they notice my big blue bag!

5 cents is extremely cheap for a plastic bag. Across Europe it is custom to bring-your-own-reusable bag, but if you don't, it will cost you $1.00. It's a good incentive for your pocketbook and for the environment.

My mother-in-law made a good comment that everyone has the responsibility to properly dispose of those horrible plastic bags. She's right. If you do have an overflowing pantry of plastic shopping bags, remember Safeway and Walmart both have a "recycle bin" for plastic bags. Why do they do this? To help recycle them (less than 1% of plastic bags get recycled) AND so those bags don't end up outside blowing in the wind, and across our beautiful earth, never breaking down.... (see my earlier post "Say No to plastic bags").

Lastly, I was at Whole Foods yesterday where I purchased some organic, sulfate-free hair care products (see my earlier post on this). They asked me if I wanted a bag for the bottles and I said no. I would carry the bottles. If you forget your reusable bag and you are just buying a few items, definitely refuse a bag.

You'll feel great walking out to your car knowing you are saving a tree :) I know I did.