May's Green Challenge: Bye, bye baggie!
We harp on this all the time here at Green Daily. We tell you that using plastic bags is bad and you should use cloth bags in the checkout line. I must confess that I don't use cloth all of the time, in fact, I would guess that I remember to bring a reusable bag into a store with me less than half the time. It's a habit that I have yet to cement into my psyche but I decree May a 100% bag-free month!I have in my arsenal nine cloth bags specifically designed for carrying groceries. That's plenty for my weekly visits and they are small enough to stash in the car for visits to convenience stores or wherever else I may venture. Join me for May's Green Challenge!
Here are the rules:
- I am to refuse any disposable shopping bag offered to me with my purchases.
- If I forget to bring my bags into the store then I am to go bag-less unless I am grocery shopping in which case I will insist on paper (I just can't commit to throwing loose groceries into my trunk).
- No matter how adorable they are, I am not to buy any more cloth bags. I have plenty.
Now for the facts:
- Americans use 380 billion plastic bags a year.
- The bags first hit grocery stores in 1977 and were widely used by the 80's.
- Plastic bags are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource and can take over 1,000 years to decompose.
- Plastic bags cause the death of about 100,000 whales, seals, turtles and other marine animals annually
- Plastic bag use in Ireland had dropped more than 90% since their acceptance of a "PlasTax."
- In March, 2007, San Francisco become the first American city to ban the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags.
To see what I did last month, check out these four posts: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4
Mother's Day
Green Daily Weekly Roundup
I have a dream: finally, legal rights for vegetables
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-01-2008 @ 1:34PM
Diane said...
Out in Western/Upstate NY. Hannafords not only bags for you...
* They sell cloth bags in the store.
* If you spend a certain amount they give you one free bag. (At least they tried last week, but I own enough)
* PAY you back $.05 for every cloth bag you use for your groceries.
I use the cloth bags at Target and convenience stores if I'm getting more than I can handle.
I always have at least one cloth bag in my car.
As for Garbage I use Biobags. Yes they cost more now... But hey they are biodegradable.
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 4:03PM
Cheap LIke Me said...
Good for you! You will love it. I find that checkers hardly even bat an eye when I bring my own bag anywhere these days - grocery store, liquor store, Target, Macy's. Do think outside the box and take it everywhere. Some that fold up into your purse are handy.
Reply
5-01-2008 @ 8:50PM
diana said...
I keep a bag of bags in my car. In the last couple of months stores have become more aware of byob and now set out guidelines for their baggers.
Reply