Photo credit:
jonathan.youngblood on flickr
We have all seen 'em,--and I daresay, at one time or another, used and abused 'em--those ubiquitous trash bags usually labeled "Thank You" that are often spied waving wildly at us from the treetops or floating downstream in some local creek or river.
I think it might be more effective if they were at least sporting phrases like: "Hey, Get me Down From Here!" "Please Pick Me Up And Recycle Me!" or "The World Is Not Our Garbage Can, Please Don't Litter" in bold red letters, instead of "Thank You" for littering, abusing and not recycling plastic. But I digress.
Most places on the planet have laws about littering which don't seem to be effective in stemming the tide of plastic shopping bag pollution. The two giant floating garbage patches in the Pacific ocean, are clear evidence of a world drowning in litter. This grim reality makes outright bag bans an obvious necessity.
Plastic Shopping bag bans have gained some amazing traction around the world in places like Ireland, India, China, South Africa, United States and Canada but we still have a long way to go. While the Plastics industry strongly opposes them and retailers fear that they will turn shoppers off, bans are gaining worldwide approval.
Biodegradable bags are an option but "bring your own" reusable cloth or post consumer recycled bags or baskets are, by far, a better sustainable solution. All that is required, beyond our initial investment, is remembering to bring them with us when shopping. Difficult you say, not so much, we remember to dress before going shopping don't we?
How to join the Canvolution
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I love my bins. They are easy to pack and unpack. And easy to carry with their perfect handles. And for those times when I shop on the way home unexpectedly, I have a nylon bag always in my purse. It takes up about the same room as a hankie when folded up and gets those few needed items home. It is really not that hard to at least greatly reduce the plastic bags in our life.
Now. About my dog ...
We have some canvas bags that came as a bonus as part of an NPR promotion years ago. They tend to be hard to clean, take up a lot of space, are cumbersome - not the best thing in the world when you are walking or biking to the store. When we're using the car and combining errands we often forget to have them in the car.
A friend loves Envirosax and has blogged on them. They have some good features, but weight carrying and foldability are impressive. Folded they are compact enough that she always carries several.
http://www.6footsix.com/my_weblog/2010/04/i-environsax.html
Here is a comparison between Envirosax and Baggu .. what is most useful is the comments section
http://www.notcot.com/archives/2007/10/reusable_bag_re.php
Thanks Steve for the feedback and great link to the comparison of Envirosax and Baggu!
Colleen's post about and demo of the Envirosax is really FAB!
Best,
Lucy
Thanks Trish for the great affirmation and advice about carrying a bag with you at all times. I always feel so good when shopping that I bring my own bags, it is such a simple thing and it makes such a difference.
Hugs,
Lucy
e-eCoBags, we've been supplying custom made bags to retailers as well as corporate clients, large and small. Eco Bags specializes in environmentally friendly carry bags of all type, made from recycled material which includes shopping bags, green bags and many more.....http://www.e-ecobags.com/
I buy those disposable surgical rubber gloves in bulk at Sam's Club and put the poop into an old coffee can, or a sheet of newpaper, and then throw it out with my daily garbage. Not to many things you can use that are not recyclable nowadays.
http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/alpine-w...
A lot of grocery stores in Arkansas are selling canvas bags near the checkout lanes.
Nice article, but I don't think this is as effective as has to be. I am in India and in spite of banned the plastic bags, people still using them freely.
I won't say this is happen to everywhere but in India the govt. is not thinking of caring and saving the planet.
thank you for sharing the post.
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