Let's face it, our country is hopelessly addicted to plastic bags. We are offered bags for even the most minute of purchases, and those bags all end up in the same place - landfills. The facts are pretty scary. While the focus is often on how much of nightmare plastic bags are to get rid of (they only take 1000 odd years or so to decompose), the production of plastic bags is an environmental disaster. In the United States we go through 100 billion plastic bags a year. 100 billion!! It requires approximately 12 million barrels of oil to produce those bags. According to the Washington Post, 5 of the top 6 chemicals that produce the most toxic waste are used in the production of plastic bags. We all know the memorable scene from American Beauty when Wes Bentley's character films the wind blown plastic bag as it swirls in the air, while that made for a poignant scene, the reality is that trashed plastic bags are indeed everywhere. When the bags make their way into the oceans they have been held accountable for over 100,000 sea turtle and marine creature deaths a year.

Alright, so lets step up our plastic recycling efforts, right? Not so fast. It was reported by the Christian Science Monitor that it can cost $4000 to recycle 1 ton of bags, which can then be sold for $32. Not exactly cost-effective. Another little secret is that the used bags are often shipped to third world countries where they are incinerated under less-stringent environmental laws or simply dumped in a landfill. Out of sight out of mind? Not really.

Veggiest thinks that the only real answer to the plastic bag epidemic is to stop using them, period. Strides are slowly being made, read on after the jump to hear some good news.

One of the biggest steps in the right direction was taken by the Whole Foods Market chain of stores. Whole Foods announced that they plan to have all their stores plastic-bag free by April 22nd, Earth Day. Many countries in Europe have implemented a plastic-bag tax to encourage the use of reusable bags, and here in Massachusetts Senator Brian Joyce has filed Senate Bill No 2521, which would charge stores a $.02 cent tax on every plastic bag provided.

For all the fashionistas out there, take heart. Being eco-conscious doesn't have to mean schlepping around with a plain-jane canvas bag. The craft-themed website Etsy is a great place to find fun, handmade bags are one-of-a-kind and cheap. We especially like the witty bags from Kathijane.

Ever on the cutting edge of urban fashion, Timberland will be offering $25 tote bags (seen at left) that were made from billboard ads that ran in Boston in Providence. As such, no two bags are alike, and they're waterproof and durable. Helping out mother earth has never looked so good.

Remember to think twice when you're next offered a plastic bag - Veggiest trusts you'll do the right thing.

Information used in this post from reusablebags.com, Washington Post, and the EPA. Photo of a plastic bag by eflon used under a Flickr creative commons license