Spurred by a filmmaker’s documentary, the English town of Modbury has become the first in Europe to ban them outright. Others may follow as stores, grass-roots groups, and citizens are joining forces to reduce national consumption of the ubiquitous convenience item.

British retailer Sainsbury introduced a limited-edition reusable cotton bag (left) designed by Anya Hindmarch. Priced at $10, all 20,000 sold out within an hour.

The Christian Science Monitor reports it all here.