The UK's Environment Agency has found that it takes 171 uses of a plastic reusable grocery bag to offset the higher carbon emissions a single use plastic produces during manufacturing. That would mean that if you use your plastic reusable shopping bag twice a week, for 86 weeks, or 22 months, the product would be as efficient to produce as single use plastic bags but would create much less waste. … [Read more...]
Save our Shores To Begin Volunteer Program In February, 2012
December 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Save our Shores is a environmental agency in Santa Cruz, California, that takes on protecting the Pacific Ocean and the beaches along Monterey Bay. They are advocates for clean oceans and clean shore lines to protect not only the beauty, but the lives of the many sea creatures that live there. Save Our Shores has been an advocate of using reusable grocery bags for quite some time now, and has … [Read more...]
Sunnyvale, California Passes Plastic Bag Ban
December 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment
On December 6th, 2011, Sunnyvale City Council members voted in favor of a plastic bag ban in supermarkets greater than 10,000 square feet and other large retailers, but will exclude restaurants and nonprofit/charitable organizations. The ordinance will also charge a .10 cent fee for recycled paper bags. Reusable grocery bags will be available for sale at check out if customers forget to bring … [Read more...]
Seattle, Washington Embraces Reusable Grocery Bags
December 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The Seattle City Council voted yesterday to ban single use plastic bags from grocery stores and other retail stores, and charge a .5 cent fee on paper bags. The ordinance goes into affect July, 2012. Low income residents that can not afford the .5 fee for paper bags, who can verify eligibility in a food assistance program will not be charged the paper bag fee. Other Washington cities that … [Read more...]
Green Holiday Wreath Craft Idea
December 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
If you haven't started using reusable grocery bags to bring home your groceries with, and have a stash of plastic single use bags, here is a creative, festive craft idea to do with your kids while they are home for the holidays. The instructions are simple to follow, and the wreath will make a great holiday gift for friends and neighbors. Materials: 12 guage strength wire or wire wreath … [Read more...]
Follow Up On Aspen’s Efforts to Use Reusable Shopping Bags
December 19, 2011 by Leave a Comment
As a follow up to the post, "A Little Place Called Aspen", Aspen City Council voted in favor of a plastic bag ban with a .20 fee on paper bags at two local grocers, City Market and Clark's Market. The new law is to go into effect on May 1, 2012. Although the paper bag fee of .20 may not go over well with customers of City Market or Clark's Market, the fees are expected to generate between … [Read more...]
Free Reusable Bags In Santa Cruz December 15th
December 10, 2011 by Leave a Comment
On Thursday, December 15th, 2011, Save Our Shores will host "Bring You Own Bag" day in Santa Cruz County. John Leopold, Santa Cruz County Supervisor, will hand out custom reusable bags from 4-6pm at Mi Pueblo market in Watsonville, theCapitola Mall, Live Oak Market, Scotts Valley Market, and Kmart in ScottsValley. John Leopold is personally going to encourage the use of reusable grocery bags to … [Read more...]