As of Earth Day, 2008 (that's April 22, 2008) Vitamin Cottage will stop using plastic bags. Currently they are using up their supply of bags, and when it's gone, they won't be ordering any more.
This effort comes at a time when much awareness has been made about the effects plastic have on the environment, and how committed people are to stop using the disposable bags. On Earth Day, Vitamin Cottage will be handing out their blue sacks, made by 1 Bag at a Time.
Vitamin Cottage has prominent signage at the check out counters informing customers about the shift away from plastic bags. The checkers are taking time to inform customers about the new policy, and are encouraging customers to remember to bring their reusable bags.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Make Some Noise
I've talked to many people who are incredibly interested in seeing some action regarding reducing plastic bag usage, and plastic waste in general. Most people are unsure of what to do, who to contact, and how to get involved.
Here is a list of things that you can do. Do one, several, or all of them!
1. Email you City Council members. Not sure who they are? Get on the Internet and do a search for your city. You'll find a list and email addresses of all the elected officials. Tell them who you are, and what this is concerning. Here is a brief list of a few of the cities on the Front Range. If yours isn't listed, do a quick search and fire off a few emails to let city council members know that this is a subject that you are concerned about.
2. Ask to see a store manager next time you're at the store, and tell them your concerns about paper and plastic. Encourage them to prominently display reusable bags near the check out lanes. Talk to the checkers too, and tell them how sturdy the reusable bags are, and how much they can really hold.
3. Talk to your local high school Environmental Club about plastic and paper, and see if they would take on a challenge to their peers to reduce plastic bag use in their families. Algalita Marine Foundation does a lot of education outreach, and some of their material is right on their website.
4. Write to your local paper's opinion board. Be sure to be thorough, coherent, and thoughtful. There are so many pros and cons to plastic and paper bag use, and everyone has a right to their opinion. Education is key. For a great interactive presentation, go to MSNBS. It's long, but worthwhile.
5. Talk to your friends, and explain why paper and plastic bags are not nearly as useful as reusable bags. Algalita Marine Foundation
6. Do you sew? There are a lot of crafty people who are figuring out ways to make adorable, fashionable, sturdy reusable bags for themselves, their friends, and also to sell. Who knows, there might be a market for you! Here's one website that my sister-in-law found on making your own bags. I've also seen Dana Miller's Baggy Shirts LLC, making reusable bags made from reused clothing, as well as ScrappyBags.net that uses scraps of textiles to make amazing bags.
Still not sure what to do? Well, anything is better than nothing. Bring your own bags, take a deep breath, and know that consciousness is the first step to righting the wrong.
Here is a list of things that you can do. Do one, several, or all of them!
1. Email you City Council members. Not sure who they are? Get on the Internet and do a search for your city. You'll find a list and email addresses of all the elected officials. Tell them who you are, and what this is concerning. Here is a brief list of a few of the cities on the Front Range. If yours isn't listed, do a quick search and fire off a few emails to let city council members know that this is a subject that you are concerned about.
- Louisville's City Council members
- Boulder's City Council Members
- Lafayette's City Council members
- Denver's City Council members
- Longmont's City Council members
2. Ask to see a store manager next time you're at the store, and tell them your concerns about paper and plastic. Encourage them to prominently display reusable bags near the check out lanes. Talk to the checkers too, and tell them how sturdy the reusable bags are, and how much they can really hold.
3. Talk to your local high school Environmental Club about plastic and paper, and see if they would take on a challenge to their peers to reduce plastic bag use in their families. Algalita Marine Foundation does a lot of education outreach, and some of their material is right on their website.
4. Write to your local paper's opinion board. Be sure to be thorough, coherent, and thoughtful. There are so many pros and cons to plastic and paper bag use, and everyone has a right to their opinion. Education is key. For a great interactive presentation, go to MSNBS. It's long, but worthwhile.
5. Talk to your friends, and explain why paper and plastic bags are not nearly as useful as reusable bags. Algalita Marine Foundation
6. Do you sew? There are a lot of crafty people who are figuring out ways to make adorable, fashionable, sturdy reusable bags for themselves, their friends, and also to sell. Who knows, there might be a market for you! Here's one website that my sister-in-law found on making your own bags. I've also seen Dana Miller's Baggy Shirts LLC, making reusable bags made from reused clothing, as well as ScrappyBags.net that uses scraps of textiles to make amazing bags.
Still not sure what to do? Well, anything is better than nothing. Bring your own bags, take a deep breath, and know that consciousness is the first step to righting the wrong.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
