James, who lives just north of Seattle, began calling newspapers and companies to try to get them to publicize information about reuse and recycling. The result was that Albertson's, a major national grocery store chain, created a program that rewards children for reusing bags. Those are sold at thrift shops or given to the poor. The other 80 percent are fed into balers that make 1,100-pound bales. Rag dealers buy the bales for 5 cents a pound and ship them off to countries like Yemen and Senegal.
Unemployment is down.
Clothing prices have risen just 13 percent in a decade, while the average for all consumer goods rose 34 percent. Prices of women's clothes are lower now than six years ago. Thanks to everyone who has written to congratulate King County on the award. This is the only one of those messages I'm going to run on the Forum, since it's the only one that was clearly written to the group.