Plastic Bags & Living Free of Limitations

-- Quote of the Day --

Everybody believes in heredity - 

Until their kids begin making fools of themselves.

~ Unknown

:) - Something light to start the week with :)

-- Conscious Discussions --

Today, live at 10-11 AM (Pacific): – Steve McAllister – This multi-talented individual’s passions range from film, to performing to writing. Despite having been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, Steve has earned degrees in psychology, and film production technology; Steve has produced several films and documentaries and has written 3 books. Our topic today: Free of Limitations   Click on the hyper-linked show title here, and join in the live chat room as well - or access the archived interview anytime it is convenient for you. Alternatively look for the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show area on the sidebar of this blog to find links to recently aired episodes.

 -- Positive Eco-News -- 

Thoughts on Plastic bags: 

  San Jose became the largest U.S. city to ban plastic shopping bags with an ordinance that supporters said was the most far-reaching in the country aimed at encouraging shoppers to bring reusable totes. This does not include the sales of garbage and recycling bags, or sandwich bags – and only affects retailers who hand out plastic bags to their shoppers. Nor does it include restaurants (meals can be messy) and second-hand stores (who often reuse plastic bags). 

Retailers will offer paper alternatives, but will charge 10 cents per bag – because paper is not as durable (especially in moist weather) people will become accustomed to bringing their own cloth bags instead. This ban is meant to become a motivational tool, but also will eliminate the clean up issues involved with plastic bags. 

The Bay Area in California uses 3.8 billion plastic bags a year and about 1 million end up in San Francisco Bay, where they harm birds, fish and other animals. This move comes after a strong recycling program that failed, having collected only 5 % of the bags that are distributed. This is unfortunate, since recycled bags end up as new bags, shopping carts, totes, composite lumber for decking or park benches, and other items as well. 

Large retailers often have big metal bins with heavy lids for their waste collection system - those lids need to be securely in place, or the wind will pick up and carry loose plastic for miles in any direction. City garbage trucks can often spread bags around – it is important that people transporting waste ensure that it is securely stored away.  

Here in our area, South-western BC, many grocery stores are now charging for plastic bag use (about 10-15 cents per bag) and sell reusable bags near the cashier area in the store as well. The reusable bags may cost .75-$1, however they are washable and therefore are a sanitary option. A family of four will need 12-15 reusable bags, a one-time investment.

Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio program, newsletter, blogs, and more at: www.brummet.ca 

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