There is no denying the many merits of reusable bags, from the environmental impact to the cost savings for both the stores that supply disposable bags and the municipalities that pick up litter. Reusable shopping bags definitely are a step in the right direction on many fronts, but they require some care and attention. If not properly cared for reusable bags can possibly nurture and spread bacteria. A few studies have been done on the issue and while the amounts of bacteria found were minimal, exposure is all it takes to become ill. Remember to bring your bags... (Read More)

In an unprecedented turn of events, Sioux Lookout, in Ontario, Canada has rescinded the bag ban put into place in September 2010. A town bylaw implemented the ban on single use plastic bags which were not to be sold or given away within the town. The plan was structured with a 1 year phase-in period to allow residents to get use to an existence free of disposable bags. During the phase-in period warnings were issued to anyone violating the law, but after that period fines would be charged to those selling or giving away disposable plastic bags. ... (Read More)

Students from the small New York state town of Sleepy Hollow have some big plans. A group of middle school students in the Environmental Action Club have started a grassroots campaign to ban plastic bags in their hometown. They got the idea from the neighboring city of Rye which recently put a bag ban in place and from the movie 'Bag It,' a documentary about the environmental effect of plastic bags. Their efforts have attracted the attention of the mayor, Drew Fixell, who paid the club a visit to discuss the pros and cons of such a ban and what... (Read More)

Plastic bags have come under fire lately, as they should. Resources are drained to create these bags and only a small percentage ends up being recycled, leaving the rest to either sit in landfills or litter streets, parks, and wildlife habitats. To put an end to the environmental and financial havoc plastic bags wreck on the world many cities have taken to banning plastic bags to encourage the use of reusable shopping bags. Many such bans include a section concerning paper bags. A typical ban consists of a straight out prohibition of plastic bags, but allows paper bags to be... (Read More)

Over the last several years cities across the United States have contemplated and/or put bans on plastic bags into motion. Those who support the bans cite the environmental impacts. Plastic bags cannot safely break down; they sit in landfills because even though most are recyclable people just do not properly dispose of them. Some supporters lean on the health issues at stake: bags that sit in landfills take up space and collect rain water, which creates ideal conditions for mosquitos to lay eggs. Mosquitos can carry harmful and deadly diseases, such as West Nile, malaria, and dengue. Banning bags is intended to start off a chain reaction.... (Read More)

There is seldom a one-size-fits all solution to big problems, and the folks of Madison, Wisconsin are proving that point. As cities all across the United States are banning plastic disposable bag in hopes of reducing litter and preventing these non-biodegradable nuisances from taking up space in garbage dumps, Madison decided to step up efforts to recycle plastic bags. In 2009 Madison began a plastic bag recycling program. Drop-off locations were setup throughout the area and residents could simply deposit their plastic bags. ... (Read More)

In an effort to combat litter and encourage recycling many states have enacted returnable container laws, more commonly referred to as bottle bills. Oregon was the first state to put such a trailblazing law into place in 1972 and since that time 10 other states have passed similar legislation... (Read More)

Several cities across the United States are weighing the pros and cons of banning plastic disposable bags. Austin, Texas is another city on the constantly growing list working to implement such a ban. The Austin Resource Recovery, the department handling the transition, has been working diligently drafting and redrafting the bill to make sure they get it right. As with other cities that have passed similar bans there is resistance and opposition, but the authorities of Austin have allowed the community to join the conversation and give feedback via public forums.... (Read More)

Reducing your carbon footprint is an eco-friendly lifestyle choice that may seem daunting, but is completely attainable. To best understand how to reduce your carbon footprint you need to understand what it is exactly. The carbon reference relates to carbon emissions that result from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas. These fuels are used to power cars, create electricity, heat homes, manufacture goods, and a whole slew of other things. The footprint is a measure of use. So every time you drive your gas-powered car or carry groceries home in petroleum-based plastic bags you increase your carbon footprint.... (Read More)