It was announced last week that on the first wednesday of each month, supermarts were not going to provide plastic bags for your groceries. In fact, they were going to charge 10 cents per plastic bag if you need one. Otherwise, you are encouraged to buy a non-disposable bag at $1 or bring your own carrier.

I was amused and amazed at the different responses people had towards creating a 'greener' society. Some heralded this idea; others pooh-poohed this move.....But....oh look at that guy who decided to carry his groceries by folding up his T-shirt in front! I guess he was not buying a week's consumption for his family!!!

However, I'm thinking this whole campaign to get people to care for the environment should have a positive flavor rather than a negative one.

Why do we 'punish' people who want plastic bags by making them pay for it?
People love to rebel. They will find a way out. Die die they will remember not to shop on Wednesdays!

Why don't we reward instead those who bring their own bags by giving them points or discounts or rebates?
People love to receive something .....anything....for whatever they do. And they will remember to bring their own bag to the supermart!

While the young are teachable and impressionable, they will understand the good, the beautiful, the long-term effects in creating the green environment.
We just need to encourage the older folks who are fixed in their ways, to go beyond their convenience ("ah....the plastic bag is so handy for throwing rubbish!") and complacency (" ah....I'm not going to outlive the earth!") .

As for me, I'd like to think green...
I'm not obsessed about it... but I'll get used to it and probably grow to like it!!!