Each year millions of dollars are spent by municipalities across the nation to get rid of plastic bags and each year millions of dollars are spent by retailers to buy the plastic bags to give to you, their customer, which eventually ends up as part of your city's responsibility to get rid of waste. It's a vicious and for now unending cycle.

As more people have become aware of the direct and indirect costs of using plastic bags, many have now formed organizations and movements to put laws in place to recycle plastic bags.  But the government shouldn't have to force you to recycle, there is a better way and it requires little effort from you. Get in the habit of recycling plastic bags and carrying around a reusable cloth or canvas bag to minimize plastic bag waste.

To give you an idea of the costs involved in getting rid of plastic bags, let's take a look at the state of California. Each year, it costs that state:

• $25 million to discard the plastic bags by putting it in landfills.
• $300 million to clean up plastic bag litter, as reported by the state's public agencies.
• $1.7 billion to restore clean water in rivers and lakes that have been polluted with plastic bags

We are not even including the costs in terms of time, labor, and money that cities and recyclers are spending on unjamming plastic bags from their machinery. Clearly, recyling plastic bags is an opportunity for any municipality to be able to reduced their expenses.

So how can you do your part to save the city money, possibly lower your tax bill, and clean up your environment?

1. Many grocery stores now sell at minimal cost, reusable canvas and cloth bags for your use to carry the groceries and other goods out of the store. Make sure that you have one in your shoulder bag(s) or purse(s) and in your car(s) so that you are never without a reusable cloth bag when you decide to make a sudden trip to the store.
2. Just say no to plastic bags if you are buying only 1 item or if that item is small enough to hand-carry.
3. Return used plastic bags to stores and supermarkets that offer free recycling.
4. Re-use plastic bags by lining your trash cans or using it pick up your dog's poop during your daily walk.
5. Encourage others to use reusable bags and minimize the use of plastic bags.

Recycling plastic bags isn't difficult, all that is needed is a willingness on your and your community's part to make a small change in your habits and you will end up with a much cleaner neighborhood.