Mar 23, 2007

#12: BYOB and Change The World! (Friday, March 23)

This week's idea is so easy, that it would take more effort NOT to do it.
  • Over a billion plastic bags are given away free each day.
  • Millions of these bags end up as trash in our rivers and streams, and on our beaches and coasts.
  • Scientists estimate that it can take up to 1000 years for a plastic bag to fully degrade.
  • They are also a threat to animal life.
  • Producing these plastic bags also relies on energy.
The Idea: Bring your own canvas or duffel bag to the grocery store instead of stocking up on plastic bags there, and reuse your plastic bags as often as possible.

The Cost: Nuthin'. Nada. Zilch. Zip. Zero.

The Benefit: You'll be taking an active role in improving your environment and reducing your impact on environmental waste.

(P.S. After I wrote this entry, I found an article on how IKEA is becoming even more environmentally responsible, by charging customers $0.05 for each plastic bag they take from the store. Kudos to them!)

Tell me what you think of this idea!



4 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea. I will have try to see if the wife will be down for this. It's really a good one. Thanks special lady.....

Crankyputz said...

Hey, Read today that san fransisco has banned the use of plastic bags....your idea got to them...way to go!

Enchantress said...

This blog has great ideas and I especially like this one. I do half of my grocery shopping at Aldi and they charge for plastic bags. Most people, including myself, use produce boxes or their own bags at checkout. Very good idea SE, I will do this at other grocery stores.

Jumbie said...

I take the plastic bags, but then I can put garbage in them, to be tied. This helps prevent smells, and small animals from tearing open the bigger bags, because here in the UK the lazy Councils pick up garbage once a week.

Now they have plans to pick up once a fortnight, saying (and I kid you not!) that if citizens package their garbage peoperly there will be no snmalls or rot. I'd like to see that happen in summer!! My 9 year daughter can explain about bacteria to them, maybe I should go to the next council meeting with her.