Live Earth, Global Warming and taking action

For many years now, I have been frustrated by the amount of plastic bags I acquire when shopping, especially grocery shopping. It seems they put two items per bag so by the time I get home I have 7 bags for 15 items. So I started condensing my items into fewer bags, much to the clerks dismay. I think because they get into the corporate habit of not making the bags too heavy as to cut off circulation in the customer's hands, their solution is to use twice as many. But still I had a mountain of plastic bags. I thought if I just put them in the recycling bin that would solve the problem; at least I was helping by not clogging the landfills with plastic bags. Then someone sent me this link to an art exhibit by Chris Jordan.

Is that possible? It seems to be inflated, then I noticed while sitting outside a local shopping center, the amount of bags in each person's cart as they where headed back to their cars. Maybe it wasn't so far fetched. Either way, the message was received loud & clear. My unhealthy obsession with plastic bags had to stop.

With my current business ownership, I receive a large amount of promotional tote bags, from distributors, vendors and trade shows. I have piles of them. I decided it was time to start using the cloth bags. At first, when I went shopping, the sales clerks acted like I was some sort of a freak by suggesting I bag my own groceries into my cloth bags. They must of thought I had O.C.D. or something. Some said, "Oh, that's a great idea." others suggested I just bring my bags back and re-use them (another great idea). Then I started taking them to Costco, the clerks there thought I was a genius! Imagine all the people whining to them on a daily basis of never having enough boxes to put their purchases in. I often heard, "I wish more people like you would bring their own bags." Then Trader Joe's in our area started implementing a monthly drawing for a $25 gift certificate, every time you brought your own bag you were given a ticket in which to enter. Shortly after, I noticed more people carrying cloth bags to the local shopping centers and markets as well. While on a trip to Costco, my friend (who is admittedly shallow) confessed that she couldn't use cloth bags as they were just plain ugly. Perhaps if she could find a "cute bag" she might use it. I laughed because I thought she was kidding. Then she gave me a look letting me know she was serious. I asked her to define "cute bag" then I made one for her. Someone saw it, asked where she got it, then requested I make one for her. Suddenly I had people lined up for them, faster than I could make them. So I did some research and found a company that made some sturdy, fashionably hip black canvas bags so I could just adorn them. I now have some available to the public.


Even if you do not have an interest in buying one of my bags, look around your house. I'm sure somewhere, you have a stash of tote bags. Please use them. Or reuse the bags you have. In March 2007, the City of San Francisco will outlaw plastic bags by next year. Your town may be next. The Live Earth concert professed one thing repeatedly, by just taking one action you can help the environment. It takes little effort and costs nothing.