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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend March 17, 2007 Ikea puts price on throwaway plastic By Avis Thomas-Lester The Washington Post WASHINGTON — A nickel for a plastic shopping bag? That's nothing, said Tomma Clocker, of North Potomac, Md., who was born in Germany, where bags now cost about $1. "In Europe, you always bring your bags," said Clocker as she shopped at Ikea in College Park, Md., Thursday. "Americans don't because they are not as environmentally aware, because of the size of this country. In Europe, people live closer together and in smaller places. Much more consideration is given to how you impact your neighbor, on the inside of your home and on the outside." Ikea, which was founded in Sweden, brought a bit of that European sensibility to American shopping Thursday when it began charging for plastic bags. The move represents a step beyond the discounts that some retailers offer those who bring their own bags. Whole Foods markets, for instance, knock off a nickel for each bag customers bring in for their groceries. Customers paying for shopping bags? It's a seismic shift in the American way, akin to when service stations started charging for air or drinking water became something bought in a plastic bottle. This time, Ikea officials said, it's for a good cause. Advertisement "The goal is an environmental cause: to help reduce the waste of the plastic bags," said Sharon Black, public relations specialist at the College Park store. Ikea officials said the home-furnishing chain gave away 70 million bags in the United States last year and hopes to cut the number in half this year by charging for them. The chain will donate proceeds from sales of the clear bags to American Forests, the nation's oldest citizens conservation group. Ikea expects to raise $7 million for the charity. To make sure customers got the point, the store deployed "live sculpture." One actor, all in blue, including a blue Afro wig, represented Ikea's reusable blue shopping bag — made of durable plastic and now on sale for 59 cents instead of 99 cents. Another, all in white, portrayed the store's clear plastic shopping bag. Customers who might have missed the store's postings about the bag charge paid attention to the actors and their message about waste. Ajax Joe Drayton, a founder of Joe's Movement Emporium, a performance group in Mount Rainier, Md., said the actors were happy to take part as a way to encourage people to think about the waste they generate. The group provided its services as a thank-you for donated furniture. "We live in the time of disposable everything: disposable razors, disposable bags, disposable dishes," Drayton said. "We use things and then we just throw them away and put them out of mind because it is faster that way." No one seemed to mind paying for the plastic bags. "We are very wasteful as a nation and that includes me," said Mildred Talbott, of Baltimore. "We don't have enough people speaking out like this and encouraging the rest of us to do the right thing." Maria Loretta, of Bethesda, Md. brought her own bag — from Trader Joe's. "I hate all of the waste in this country," said Loretta, a chef who was born in Colombia. "I think our children are not going to have a planet if we keep it up this way. This was a good idea because it makes people aware." d Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary