NO PLASTIC BAGS !

Did you know that plastic trash kills thousands of seabirds and sea animals like whales, turtles and seals every year? Plastic bags take up to 1000 years to decompose, just so a human can have a few minutes of convenience.
In honor of the sea turtle and his kin, I created this lens to help people get out of the plastic bag habit and walk more lightly on the earth. There's a growing movement of individuals, retailers, cities and nations working to reduce the plastic bag plague. Join us!

Refuse to take it

When they try to bag your items - refuse the bag. Cashiers are programmed to keep the line moving and don't always stop to ask if you need a bag, they just stuff your stuff in one. Hand back the bag and then explain why you don't want it. If you want a little help spreading the word about the impact of plastics on our environment, hand them one of my "No Plastic Bag cards". PDF at this link.

Recycle it

If you live in a city that recycles plastic bags, put them in your bin. Even if your city doesn't take them yet, most large grocery stores have bag recycling bins near their front doors. But don't be lulled into thinking recycling the bags gets us off the hook. The recovered plastic is not going to be converted into new packaging. Most recovered plastic packaging is made into things like textiles, parking lot bumpers and plastic lumber - all unrecyclable products. Recycling plastic bags does not reduce the use of virgin materials or the energy it takes to manufacture them. It only temporarily keeps it out of the landfill.

Ask for a cash credit

Ask your local store to offer a cash credit if you bring in your own bags. The Reusable Bags site (see below) has a sample letter to send to stores you frequent. Many Trader Joes stores have a monthly raffle for reusable bag users. Ask for a ticket when you check out and you might win a 25.00 gift certificate. Earthfare credits 5 cents for each bag toward a different local charity each month. It adds up to thousands of dollars over the course of a year and generates goodwill toward the store. Let your stores know about these and other creative ways to change consumer behavior.

Educate yourself

Educate yourself about the greater risks to our health, both personal and national, from plastic.