The battle lines used to be clearly drawn. On one side there were the environmentalists, do-gooders and small business owners that wanted to go the eco friendly way. Much of the fight centered around using local products, hemp, and renewable resources to produce eco friendly products. On the other side stood big business; Coca-Cola pillaging the Amazon, GM producing low MPG cars, and Wal-Marts never-ending storm water violations.

Well, at least one of them seems to be coming around. Wal-Mart is now offering stylish eco bags in the checkout isle. These eco friendly bags represent a third option of reusable materials; no more choosing between paper or plasticforests or landfills. The effect is enormous. Wal-Mart uses an estimated

Interesting enough, China, who typically has an abysmal environmental record, is leading the way, and urging Wal-Mart to follow suit. Environmentally friendly eco bags are found all over China these days. On June 1, 2008 China banned supermarkets, shops, and open markets from giving free plastic bags to customers. Since then, according to a Chinese official, plastic bag use has dropped by 66%, or 40 billion bags. Wal-Mart stores in China (106 of them) have reduced plastic bag usage by 80% so far. In total, an official Chinese agency says that they have lowered the number of plastic bags used in supermatrkets by 40 billion bags, which take 1.6M tons of petroleum to produce annually.

Wal-Mart is attempting to switch to eco bags in other countries as well. In late 2008 Wal-Mart stated their goal of reducing their plastic bag waste by a third by 2013. If they reach this goal, they will reduce their plastic bag waste by 135 million pounds in the next five years. This is a truly an astounding number, and one they should not only achieve, but surpass as well.

When a retailer such as Wal-Mart makes the jump to eco friendly bags the effects are immediate, noticed, and reported on. However, small and medium size businesses have the duty to be as equally aware of environmental issues; it isnt just for the big box retailers. Everyone from small grocers to airlines to mom and pop stores are making the switch to reusable grocery bags. Using reusable bags doesnt just make environmental sense; it makes economic sense as well. Business are reporting that they are seeing their market share skyrocket amongst the environmentally aware crowd.

Of course the eco bag manufacturers are taking notice as well. Jason Tunick, of Factory Direct Promos (www.factorydirectpromos.com), a leader in reusable grocery bag design and manufacturing says, The most redeeming thing I see is the types of businesses who are ordering our bags. Business owners are learning that we offer the same level of design, options, and creativity for small and medium business as well. Not only the Coca-Colas or Wal-Marts of the world can enjoy environmentally sound production of reusable bags, they are a universal product. This is very true indeed. All businesses should make the jump to eco friendly reusable bags today.