Why People Use Tote Bags Instead of Plastic
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"And Man created the plastic bag and the tin and aluminum can and the cellophane wrapper and the paper plate, and this was good because Man could then take his automobile and buy all his food in one place and He could save that which was good to eat in the refrigerator and throw away that which had no further use. And soon the earth was covered with plastic bags and aluminum cans and paper plates and disposable bottles and there was nowhere to sit down or walk, and Man shook his head and cried: Look at this Godawful mess" ~ Arch Butchwald 1970
Help Save Marine Life - Use Canvas Bags
Plastic kills - Use Canvas Bags
Every day grocery stores and other businesses use over a billion plastic bags. These bags do not bio degrade, they photo degrade (breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits) contaminating the soil and waterways. This kills animals when they are ingested.
Plastic bags kill hundreds of thousands of whales, sea turtles and other marine mammals each year. Bags that are discarded end up being eaten as they are mistaken for food by marine mammals as well as land animals.
By using canvas bags instead of plastic, we can make a positive impact on the environment. We can help save our planet by shopping with Canvas bags instead of plastic.
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Ways to Collect Alternative Shopping Bags
Reusable bags come in every size, shape, material, and color imaginable. Some compress down into an easy size to carry in your purse. Many may be used for gift bags as well as to shop with.
Tote bags are inexpensive and can be found at most thrift stores for under a dollar. There are also several online retailers that specialize in environmentally friendly shopping bags. Most super markets carry them and some chain stores even give you a small discount at the check out counter if you use their brand of bags.
Shop your local garage sales for tote bags, canvas bags, gift bags, nylon bags, carrier bags and even promotional bags. Almost any eco friendly bag can be turned into a reusable bag for shopping.
Check your closet for any type of “handle bag” that could be used for shopping. You can also make your own bag with these free patterns.
Be sure you tell the cashier that you've brought your own reusable bag before they begin to ring up your items.
Wash your recycled bags every now and then, using cold water to save on your monthly utility bill.
Join an Environmental program and do your part to help correct environment pollution. Teach your children about wildlife, animals that are endangered and what we can do to protect them.
A great family event is Whale Watching. It is both fun and educational and most of the time, it is free. We can all be a good role model for children and others and help save marine life as we use canvas bags.
Save the Earth
I have searched the internet for poems that might inspire us all to take action and do our part. I found just what I was looking for, right here on our own hubpages. It says it all in a beautiful and poignant way. http://hubpages.com/hub/Saving-Earth
Mother Earth was the first physician and healer. Some day, everyone will realize that she alone owns the true pharmacy in medicine, for all drugs are made from Her garden, or a chemical substitute that replicates the effects and benefits Her plants.
Alma Hutchens
Source: Indian Herbology of North America, Pages: (Kim Hovey)
We also raise the energy in the world by making environmentally sound and humanitarian purchases. Your purchases really do count toward helping Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants. And, those eco-friendly purchases will help manifest your harmonious environment. Know that creating a harmonious space is easy when you rely on your intuition for guidance and follow the basic guidelines in this book. Remember that good design happens when it feels and looks good to you. Decorating your home or office space is like broadening the parameters of your body—it is an extension of your material body! Follow your truth and you follow your heart. Follow your heart and there are no wrong choices.
Norma Lehmeier Hartie
Source: Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet, Pages: 234
More hubs by vocal coach
- Muir Woods National Momument, A Splendor To Behold
One of the most beautiful places on earth...Muir Woods. Redwood Trees as high as 258 feet and magnificent hiking trails. - How You Can Sing Like Nobody is Listening - Start Singing to Benefit Now
Singing brings fulfillment and joy to the soul. But oh dear, what if someone is listening? We tend to sing too soft, too quiet because we lack confidence. I hope that by reading this article, you will sing out - sing like nobpdy is listening. - The Tongue, The Rudder For Sound And Song
Hold your tongue! Well, just make sure this " rudder" is nice and relaxed. Otherwise your singing will suffer. - Butternut Squash Recipe How To Make You Healthy
Butternut squash is a good source of vitamin C, manganesium and potassion. With these delicious recipes you can make mouth-watering foods. - Positive Affirmations and Words to Live By
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Physical Contact is very important for improving health. Along with a good attitude, nutrition, loving yourself, keeping active and visitng the Doctor is taking time to physically and/or spiritually giving your sweet self a nice long hug.
CommentsLoading...
Plastic shopping bags can last up to a thousand years in a landfill. I wish more people were educated on this subject. I wonder why the media is not more involved. I recently purchased 100 cloth bags (dollar store). Each time I go grocery shopping, I give a few to people who are about to have their items bagged in plastic bags. When they say " how can I thank you?", my answer is "just remember to use your bag". Thank you Billy for your comments.
oh that picture speaks volumes! it broke my heart! thanks for bringing more awareness to this!
yellowstar2000 - awareness is the beginning to changing our old habits. It is so nice to see you again. Your articles continue to be listed in my favorites. Have a blessed day.
The reusable bag thing may become a bigger trend. Their downfall is that you have to have them with you all the time in order to fully appreciate their usefulness. It's a trend I'd like to see continue, and one I'd like to see stores start to give out for free to promote them better. One free bag after every $500 worth of groceries purchased? Or whatever the number may be.
Good subject Vocalcoach. I never thought about this. Well written story. But you know us lazy Americans...whatever is most convenient and easier. It might be too much of an imposition.
springboard - My local Kroeger's market give a discount on the total purchase when a customer uses their canvas bag (s). I am seeing more and more customers with canvas as a result. Thanks for your comments and the promotion idea.
jy3502 - Thank you for sharing your comments on my hub. I hope that in time switching to cloth bags will be the "norm". Last week I found cloth bags for .40 each, bought a bunch of them and gave them out at my local supermarket. I added a "free singing lesson" as an incentive. Only problem is - now I have to rent a hall big enough to hold the 120 people who responded. :-)
great and thanks for bringing awareness through this hub ,hope it is placed right on top in Google search ,and thanks for your wonderful mail to me .
Dear lotuslove19 - you are so sweet to send me such a nice comment. You have made my day. Stay close, my friend.
Such a VERY important topic!!! Extremely important. It is heart wrenching the damage that these bags do to our marine life and birds. Very well written hub! Rated up for sure and thanks for writing such an important hub!
theherbivorehippi - It breaks my heart to know what is happening to our wildlife and animals as well as our marine life and birds. It just has to stop somehow. I wish I could do more to help. It is so nice to find you here on HP and know that you are as upset about this form of cruely as I am. Thank you - you are a very good person!
Very good message, I will be more careful not to forget my canvas bags when I go shopping, they are always in the trunk of my car and yet I have been quilty of walking in without them forgetting until I get into the check out lane. Maybe one day we won't have the option of those troublesome plastic bags... imagine that. Thanks for the thoughtful reminder. Peace :)
Katiem2 - I know that most of us forget our canvas bags at one time or another, including yours truly. I now place them on the front seat next to my purse and that does help me to remember. And I keep hoping that oneday plastic bags will be a thing of the past, just as you mentioned. Thank.
When my mother, niece and I were vacationing in Canada many years ago and stopped in a grocery store to pick up a few items, they asked us "Do you want a bag?" We responded affirmatively thinking that was a strange question. We found out why when we were charged money for the paper bag! If our grocery stores would start CHARGING money for bags...we would all remember to take in our reusable ones more frequently! We keep ours in the car at all times and occasionally forget them until in line at the store. Getting much better about remembering them. It finally becomes a habit.
Very useful article! Rating it so and up!
Peggy - An excellent idea! Wonder why our markets don't do the same. It would certainly make an impact and raise awareness. Perhaps I will have a little talk with the local supermarket manager. Need to start somewhere.
Thank you so much!
South Africa stopped the use of free plastic bags at supermarkets and other outlets some years ago. We have to pay for any plastic bag that is used.
This has brought about quite a large change. Before plastic bags festooned fences and lay about all over the place, but now they are much less in evidence.
I think we still have a way to go but at least a start has been made.
Thanks for this very important information and I hope it persuades many people to change from plastic to more natural bags.
I remember that when I visited Germany back in 1979 they had a campaign going on then already with the slogan "Jute statt plastik". Good one!
Love and poeace
Tony
Tony - Thanks for your comments. Sounds like the U.S. has some catching up to do. Why is it that we continue to manufacture plastic bags, etc? Thanks Tony.
So important. I don't think a lot of people understand the consequences of using plastic bags, and while we may complain how difficult it might be, people around the world use reusable bags and have for years!
glassvisage - Why is it that here in our country we are so far behind other nations with ecology??? I have heard that the use of plastic bags have been done away with. I'm with you, glassvisage - most people use plastic either out of ignorance or they just don't care. Urgggggggg! So grateful for your comments. Cheers!
Great job! I always have my bag with me because I found one that fits in my purse. I must admit that my purse isn't very petite though. I really can't stand those plastic bags!
cwarden - Very glad to hear that you are doing your part for our planet! Thank you, my friend. And now I am going to your neck of the woods - :)
Excellent and practical HUB! Voted up and awesome! :)
justmesuzanne - Oh, thank you for your vote! I really appreciate it. I can see that you and I are on the same page with stopping the plastic bag affect. So glad you came by. :)
billyaustindillon Level 2 Commenter 23 months ago
Thank you for a very important important and necessary post. Many stores around the world have stopped using plastic bags. It is so easy and convenient to have a shopping bag that you can reuse. Very simply it is lest waste for you also, if you need any further incentive!