Did you know that each American uses between 300 and 700 plastic bags per year? Most of these bags are used only one time (some of them for mere seconds!) before being thrown away.Did you know that only 1% of plastic bags in the U.S. are ever recycled?
Did you know that it takes 10-20 years for a single plastic bag to decompose? Of course, this is only if it gets caught in a tree branch or sits on your lawn all that time. Plastic bags buried in landfill can take up to 1,000 years to decompose!
Did you know that when garbage items (including paper products) are buried, their decomposition slows almost to a halt because they are not exposed to air or sunlgiht? In digs through old garbage dumps, newspapers from the 1930s have been found that are still completely legible!
If you really want to jump aboard the “green” bandwagon – you should start using canvas bags when you go shopping! Keep some in your car, your garage, your trunk, your desk, or inside your carry-all bag so you never forget to bring them with you!
Make a pledge that you will make this green change today! Don’t be embarrassed to carry reusable bags!
And the next time a cashier asks if you’d like a bag to carry that single item to your car, don’t feel weird to say, “No, thanks!” We should all start feeling weird when we waste!
Great post Maggie! I already use canvas bags whenever I can. Good advice though for those who don't!
ReplyDeleteMy fave green bag is the CHICO bag! http://www.chicobag.com/ I have two of the original models, and they are fantastic... they roll up into themselves and are super easy to just throw in my purse.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas, Maggie! I am definitely going to keep a canvas bag in my car from now on, so I don't forget when I buy my groceries!!
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