IKEA to Charge Consumers For Plastic Bags

Planet Ark, via Grist, says that IKEA will begin to charge American customers for plastic bags, on a quest to end their use forever!

I couldn't find this information on IKEA's website, although I did find statements about environmental responsibility.

The Planet Ark story says that an average American family of 4 uses 1,500 plastic bags a year. My 2007 tally for plastic bags accepted from stores hasn't hit 10 yet. (I'm not counting obsessively, it might not even be 5.) Biggest challenge is that I haven't taken time to solve the takeout food dilemma.

Wine Cork Recycling

The other note I got yesterday was from Katy Tomei, from Opus, a restaurant in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Katy reports that Opus is participating in Yemm & Hart's wine cork recycling campaign. Katy says:

The entire staff is enlightened by the project and that joy is portrayed to our customers who have taken to bringing their corks to our restaurant to be mailed with our next shipment! It is a wonderful and rewarding situation that we are privileged to be associated with!

It's powerful when people feel authentically engaged, and feel that their actions have meaning. Managing to this result is never accidental: it is an art.

Yemm & Hart's website gives more detail about why you'd want to recycle your wine corks. (I'm saving mine, but I don't drink too fast!)

And if were building out a space, the authenticity I perceive in Yemm & Hart's heartfelt website would inspire me to check out their products.