Sometimes people ask me which country, the U.S. or Sweden, is better.  There is no way to properly answer that question.  Each has good and bad and we can learn from each other.  There are times when I see something here and I think, "Really?  This has already been figured out / improved upon.  Why do you Swedes do it this way?"  Then there are the other times when I think, "This is so logical.  It's such a good idea.  Why don't we (Americans) do it this way?"

The following are two items which, for me, fall into the second category.

Grocery bags

In the States, I oft times had dozens of plastic grocery bags which I had every intention of bringing back to the store to recycle.  Sometimes they never got there. Here, if you want to have a bag from the grocery (or most stores actually) you have to buy them.  They cost 1-2 SEK, which equates to around 15-35 cents. Because of that, I always keep two nylon bags in my purse, John always has one in his briefcase, and the world is, I think, a better place.  Would the cost kill us?  Of course not.  That said, it is enough to get our attention and motivate us to use reusable bags.  I think its a win-win.

Herbs

Although one can buy just the leaves of fresh herbs boxed in a plastic container, typically, one sees them like this: 

Roots, soil, and all.  I think its a great idea.  The herbs stay fresh longer, and I have had mild success potting them.  One can, by the way, buy larger herb plants in the grocery store, but I did not think to snap a picture of them. Besides, you get the idea. 

Additionally, in one shop I saw a few commonly used herbs (dill and ...one other that I cannot remember) standing in a small bucket, like flowers in a vase.  One took as much or little as one wanted and paid by the gram.  Good idea right?