Previous Story
Don’t bag it!
|
Posted on Jul 09 2008
What’s the best kind of bag to use when you go shopping?
a. Plastic b. Cloth c. Paper
Answer: B. Cloth is best; you can use it many times.
Did you ever stop to think how weird it is that everything we buy gets put in bags? Even when it’s only one item; like a candy bar or soda can or bag of chips? A bag in a bag – now that’s crazy.
But it happens all the time; and then we just throw the bag away. What a waste!
Bags are made from our earth’s resources. Paper bags are made from trees; plastic bags are made from oil; and manufacturing them adds a lot of pollution.
Here are some ways you can help protect our resources and reduce pollution:
[B]Refuse[/B]-If you’re only buying a couple of items, consider carrying them.
-When shopping, take reusable alternatives like ‘green bags’, calico bags, string bags, baskets or boxes with you. Keep them in the car, or put your car keys in them at home so you don’t forget to take them with you.
-Combine purchases into one bag rather than getting a new bag at each store.
[B]Reduce[/B]-Count the number of plastic bags you use and aim to reduce that number each week.
-Avoid putting items that already have handles, eg. dog food, laundry detergent, into plastic bags.
-Avoid using small plastic bags as bin liners. Simply put your rubbish straight into your household bin and give the bin a quick rinse afterwards then reuse the water on your garden.
[B]Reuse[/B]-Reuse plastic bags at home for: freezing food, packing children’s school lunches, storage of clothing and other household items.
-Keep a spare reusable shopping bag in your handbag or wallet for those times when you thought you would not need a bag, but did.
[B]Recycle[/B]-Not all recycling centers on Saipan can recycle plastic bags. Call your waste hauler or recycling center and ask if they accept plastic (grocery) bags. If they don’t, please don’t put plastic bags in with your normal recycling; it can cause major problems in processing.
[B]Stay motivated[/B]-Be proud to be a trend setter.
-Encourage all family members to BYOB.
-When you use your reusable bag, you are reminding and encouraging others to use theirs.
-You are being an active part of the solution.
[I]Source: http://environmental-activism.suite101.com/article.cfm/say_no_to_plastic_bags [/I] [B]DID YOU KNOW? [/B]A 15-year-old tree only produces 700 paper bags. Please use canvas or other reusable bags when shopping for groceries, books, clothing, anything!
