People adapt though. I don't hear complaints about shopping bags anymore (except for American visitors), the way I still do about paper straws. Plastic bags at checkouts were only banned where I live a couple of years ago, and most people have learned to keep a few reusable bags in the car, and generally to plan better.

I actually worked in a hardware store for a while, and after the old supply of plastic bags ran out it was common practice for customers to either bring their own bags, carry stuff out in their hands, or use one of the hundreds of small cardboard boxes or trays that were set aside on receiving day when the shelves were stocked.