Rolling Stone recently published an article on the overuse of plastic bags in America. We use an estimated 102 billion shopping bags a year – more than 500 per consumer. And, worldwide, we consume at an unprecedented rate of 1 million per minute. Gulp!
Introduced a mere 25 years ago, single-use plastic bags have become an environmental menace. They are a leading source of pollution worldwide, their toxins are broken down into our waterways and landscapes and the massive overflow of plastic is responsible for killing wildlife on land, and at sea. There is an ever-growing patch of plastic in the Pacific, named the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, that’s larger than the size of Texas… it’s so big, ships must navigate around it!
Clearly, plastic consumption is a BIG problem and one to which we can’t afford to continue to contribute. Many nations worldwide, and several U.S. cities, have effectively cracked down on plastic bag use by taxing, banning and fining. Washington, D.C., for example, makes retailers collect $.05 for every bag they use. But, I think we can make a difference without the need for governmental involvement. I think first and foremost, we need to educate ourselves, vow to educate others and then commit to making small changes in our habits.
The Cleaner Earth Project website is dedicated to educating consumers about the negative impact single-use plastic bags has on the environment and offers some common-sense actions that we can all do – right now – to start making a difference.
- Upcycle: Hipcycle offers a few things made from plastic bags.
- Recycle: most grocery stores accept bags for recycling, if you keep them clean.
- Reuse: trash can liners, dog-poop pick up, donate to schools, bread bags are perfect for packing sandwiches, etc.
- Kick the plastic bag addiction: just don't take one when you buy stuff. Double up when shopping, bring your own bags, patronize stores that encourage this activity like Costco and Ikea, and simply BE aware of the overuse of them.
What do you do? Make a personal commitment to use a plastic bag alternative every time you go shopping. If you do this, you will keep approximately 1460 bags from entering our landfills and oceans every year.
I remind myself to take reusable bags to the store, by keeping a few in the car, a few in my purse and the rest by the front door (in my awesome Plastic Bag Canister from Hipcycle.) And, I’ve purchased reusable bags as gifts for friends and family for just about every occasion; birthday, baby shower, holidays and more. I’m not perfect in my quest but I do continue to strive to think about MY personal impact on the environment.
What are you doing to make a difference? Post your green intentions below.
Susan is Goddess of Marketing at Hipcycle. She spends her weekends chasing after two active boys, sifting through her husband's garage sale finds and attempting to work on upcycling projects of her own.
