Bag it

Re “Paper or plastic -- better yet, neither,” Opinion, Dec. 14

On a visit to Munich in 1981, I noticed that most shoppers carried compact mesh bags or totes to the grocery store. If consumers wanted a paper or plastic bag at the checkout counter, they were charged 5 cents for each one. It worked. When our leaders or retailers have the courage or responsibility to enact this, the problem of plastic bags will be measurably reduced.

Michael Krubiner

Valley Village