plastic bombastic

I'm sorry, but the argument that 'if you're going to the supermarket you need lots of plastic bags in which to take away your weekly shop' just does not wash with me. Firstly, assume you need to go to the supermarket; all you need do is imagine there is no such thing as a free plastic bag, and you'll soon remember to bring your own. I bet it'd take about two weeks to ingrain the habit. It should be an automatic association, like keys and a car, hot date and a condom (whoa).
But let's take away the first assumption. Try imagining there is no such thing as a supermarket. Build food shopping into your routine, little and often. Then you don't need so many bags. A few strong hold-alls and you're done. You'll buy half the amount of stuff you don''t need (far fewer biscuits, I guarantee), and be able to carry it all recently. You'll also eat fresh food, support small, local shops, and help to loosen the stranglehold that supermarkets have on producers and consumers. Our town centres will begin to rejuvenate, farmers will be able to afford to improve their methods, childrens' attention spans will improve... We all benefit.
All by saying no to plastic bags.