Last Sunday, Flo and I were at a hardware store in Huntington, Long Island, just picking up a few things. As we got to the counter, the cashier informed us that he had to charge us 5 cents for a bag to pack our purchases. It was our first encounter with the new “bag law” that went into effect in Suffolk County on January 1st. “No, thank you. We have a reusable bag.” We answered. Flo and I always have a reusable bag handy. Flo had one in her purse, she always carries at least one, while I keep a few in the car. Suffolk County became the first county in New York to enact a bag law - designed to encourage the use of reusable bags and discourage the use of bags that pose an environmental hazard. Various laws and incentives to discourage the use of disposal bags are found all over the country. Even if you don’t get out to Suffolk County, be prepared, I have a feeling that Nickel Bags are coming to you.