Editor:
Last week at a local grocery outlet, I missed an urgent opportunity.
At the checkout I couldn't help but observe the person ahead of me. He chose plastic bags -his groceries required five. As the cashier was concluding the transaction, the customer requested that his extra-large liquid detergent container with handle also be bagged. The cashier politely complied, bundling the plastic jug in three or four plastic bags to accommodate its weight.
I stood choking back thought of the environmental consequences of just this one purchase, biting back judgmental words.
Why didn't I simply grab one of the inexpensive cloth bags hanging right in front of me and donate it to the transaction?
In the days following, I had fantasies of Sechelt becoming one of the brave Canadian communities to ban plastic bags. I imagined myself spending a day offering free canvas bags to every shopper who would accept one.
I want to commend Extra Foods for their policy, and in this letter, I want to express my appreciation to everyone who is embracing the planet's plight by doing whatever is possible for them.
Nina Haedrich, Sechelt
