The problem seems to be that the mass of those bags is spread out thinly over a huge area, difficult to access/collect. What can be done about that (and still keep the recycling concept economically viable)?
Plus, the total mass is pretty low. I seem to be shopping almost daily, and accumulate quite a collection of those thin plastic bags over a month or two. Stuffed "tight" into a narrow cabinet as they arrive, and occasionally removed to be recycled. I am amazed at how many of them can be compressed into one of their brethren, and that narrow cabinet full is reduced to two or three bags "full". Even those are featherweight. I'd guess maybe a cup of fuel.
Not to say they shouldn't be recycled and put to best use, but in this household, the mass of (waste, empty) milk jugs is much greater than the mass of plastic shopping bags.
0bama's plan is trash the economy and a producer culture and turn us all into people shuffle down the road collecting plastic bags made in China out of the ditch to recycle into Jet A for Air Force One.
My super market, Gian Teagle, has a collection bin for plastic bags. I use a few at home for lining my office waste basket, and for cat poop, but most get returned to the store’s bin. I hope they’re used for a good purpose! I think I’ll ask the store’s manager what is done with them.