Walmart announced this week that it will reduce plastic bag waste by 1/3 by the year 2013.

At first I was impressed, but then I was thinking, that’s all? Only 1/3? That’s five years from now!

And then I thought about my own habits. Yeah, I guess that is a reasonable goal.

You see, I haven’t converted to reuseable bags yet. I am starting to amass a collection of various bags, but I just haven’t gotten into the habit of using the reusable totes.

In my heart, I know it is the right thing to do. I know all the reasons why I should use them. But I’m lazy. And forgetful. And I must admit, I sometimes like plastic and paper bags.

I like plastic bags for carrying wet swimsuits and towels back from the lake. I like them for lining wastebaskets. I like to wrap up my meat wrappers in plastic bags and throw it in the freezer until I can take them to the landfill so it doesn’t stink up my garbage. I like to use them as padding in packing boxes.

I like paper bags, too. I like to use them for taking my newspapers, magazine and paper to the recycling center. I like to make wrapping paper out of them. I like to cover school books. I like using them to protect my table when we do art projects.

So, for me, this kind of transition probably will take five years. But I’m trying. I’ve put my bags in the car, which is one step closer to the store.