Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

My local Borders now charges 70 cents per plastic bag if you don't have your own carry bag.

Their "sell" on this is

"Plastic bags now cost 10 cents - because they cost the environment a lot more."

Reusable "green" bags are becoming more prevalent when people shop, especially for groceries. This trend is spreading worldwide. In 2007 the inaugural Blog Action Day helped spread the green word across the globe.

In the UK, Ikea is charging for plastic bags, and encouraging shoppers to purchase Ikea's reusable carry bags, or bring their own.  The move is designed to cut the number of plastic bags used.

The National Geographic reports that

China is banning free plastic bags and calling for a return to the cloth bags of old—steps largely welcomed by merchants and shoppers on Wednesday.

The measure eliminates the flimsiest bags and forces stores to charge for others, making China the latest nation to target plastic bags in a bid to cut waste and conserve resources.

This move comes just ahead of the Beijing Olympics. While the infrastructure for the Olympics is well ahead of schedule, the city's pollution problems are still a concern.  

• How can small business owners support recycling efforts and minimize plastic bag use for a greener business?