Check out this fancy outfit! Slimming, isn’t it?
But for real, Carolyn is shown here sporting a handmade jacket and hat of retail plastic bags. 500 of them, to be exact! Why is she wearing this? Well, besides to get a laugh out of all of us, she’s wearing it to demonstrate the amount of plastic bag waste ONE PERSON generates in A SINGLE YEAR.
Imagine 7.6 billion plastic-bag-wearing-Carolyn’s wandering around. (That’s the current number of us inhabiting our Earth.) The amount of waste is almost unfathomable.
Of course, the moral point here is that we should all be using reusable bags and/or reusing the plastic bags that are already out there. You already know that. What we all need to be doing at this point is practicing what we preach, spreading the word by creating and sharing impactful messages (like Carolyn’s outfit), and cleaning up our act.
Here’s some more information to get you further inspired to take action:
- The ever-familiar plastic bags we have grown so accustomed to using were originally introduced in the 70’s as an alternative to paper bags. They now account for over 80% of grocery bags distributed, according to the American Plastics Council (now merged with the American Chemistry Council).
- Have you heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Gross. “A huge sea of plastic trash swirling in the North Pacific.” The images are startling.
- 10 Shocking Facts About Plastic Pollution from EarthDay.org are bound to inspire you to mobilize your friends, family, coworkers, and community.
A big ‘thank you’ to our friends at Chico Bag for this eye-catching/opening costume. #ChicoBags supply us with our own custom-branded beautiful Basil Bandwagon reusable bags that fold up nicely and fit in your pocket or purse. Purchase them at both of our locations.
Or choose one of our classic Canvas bags!
Comments
4 responses to “Plastic Bags: Putting an End to the Bag Monster We’ve Created”
Great article! I’ve shopped at B.B. since Ralph opened the store and I always bring my canvas bags when I shop. Which is why my B.B. pet peeve is that B.B. cashiers continually ask the question, “Would you like paper or plastic bags?” To which I generally reply,”Shouldn’t the question be: ‘May I fill your re-usable bag?’ To Every customer.” Maybe now, after giving attention to the issue of plastic bags publicly, B.B. might want to consider implementing a policy of encouraging cashiers to reframe the question!
Why does Basil Bandwagon use plastic bags at all?!?! Customers should be encouraged more to bring their own bags and only paper should be offered by the stores. Thanks for listening.
We agree completely- and we are working on just that. 🙂
Thanks for all the research—I will definitely pass the word along !!!! Sincerely, Lynn Manna