Get ready for a lot of whining in the Spout Off. In about a month, we will all have to start bringing real shopping bags to stores. It's just a habit, people, you can do it. I've been doing this for years. New Jersey uses about 4.4 BILLION single-use plastic bags every year, and fewer than 5 percent are recycled. Efforts to get rid of single-use plastic bags began in New Jersey shore towns. We join 8 other states banning them. No more plastic bags in trees, waterways, and blowing around. Believe me, you are going to like your own sturdy bags better. No griping!