Lew,
People here are snotty and cheap, and the economy is dead. My wife makes and sells bags ranging from simple one layer canvas bags to lined denim bags with pockets. Nobody is buying. As for the environment the city denizens couldn't care less, and the farmers are complaining bitterly about all the plastic bags blowing around.
The city of Springfield is trying to pass laws adding a surcharge when you use plastic bags at the store. I doubt anyone will care.
IL is a farm and politics state, there really isn't much involvement to care about.
My Whacky bags are a bi-product of testing machines I've worked on. I haven't really put a price on them. We were just discussing that last night and I said price them at $7.50 ea. That's probably not enough, but they won't sell at that price either.
My bags are useable for everyday grocery shopping. My wife regularly takes some of mine and some of hers when she goes shopping. Lots of oooos and ahhhhs, but no interest in buying.
Joe