Could you live without plastic bags?

I recently read in the news that the use of plastic bags will be banned in Kenya from August. The government's decision is highly surprising, yet what's even more shocking are the reasons which led to this: according to the website of the UN's environmental programme, plastic waste is an enormous source of pollution in the country. According to veterinarians, an average of two and a half plastic bags are found in the stomachs of cows and many animals die due to human plastic waste.

I already wrote recently about how a huge amount of plastic from cosmetic products are polluting natural waters and their inhabitants. The debris floating in oceans can even pollute the sea salt ending up on your kitchen table and many of us inevitably consume these foodstuffs containing plastic.

How can this be stopped? Some clothing companies encourage people buying products with synthetic threads to recycle them just like plastic bottles, whilst others highlight conscious shopping habits since the majority of selected waste is not garbage and can be reused.

After a successful test period in Kenya, they decided to get rid of yet another risk source for animals and stop using plastic bags in stores. Instead, they will be replaced by paper bags, traditional baskets and bags, since actually, there's no need to use plastic. We're used to it and it's comfortable, even if we don't like it.

If possible, I don't ask for bags when shopping, yet I'm still upset that I can't get entirely rid of them. There are many positive initiatives, yet it seems rather daunting to get rid of something like this from one day to the next.

What do you think, how hard would it be for you to live without plastic bags?