A bag of hope.

The innocent plastic bag isn't as innocent as you might think. Billions are used each year and many end up in landfills and waterways. It is estimated that a plastic bag will take a million years to decompose. Humans are finally taking notice. San Franciso recently banned plastic bags. Many stores are now charging customers to use their bags. Actions like this grabbed the interest of small group of women who serve on the conservation committee with the James River Garden Club here in Richmond. Chamie Valentine and Aurelia Lewis have made it their mission to ban plastic bags in the city. The first step? Design a reusable shopping bag. They enlisted the talent of Sarah Rowland, a local graphic designer, who designed a cotton canvas bag, elegant and utilitarian at the same time. The James River Garden Club's anti-plastic bag is made by Enviro-Tote Inc. of New Hampshire. The material is 80 percent recycled cotton and 20 percent recycled soda bottles. Cost: 1 for $8 or 2 for $15 Info: (804) 285-1158.