One thing I feel pretty strongly about is bringing along bags for any kind of shopping excursion. It took me a while but I got there and overall have a pretty good success rate. With still such a small percentage of the population who actually bring their bags, this is an area that still needs to be addressed and a habit to kick.
You see that I’m not that much different than the next person in line so if you are still using paper or plastic, this post is for you. The good news is I’ve outlined only seven steps to total recovery of plastic bag use and for the next three posts, each step will be reviewed in detail to help you refine and free yourself of this treacherous environmental habit.
Read on to learn more and how you can also win a set of reusable bags to get you started.
You’ve probably heard about the associated dangers of using P&P. As you begin to really understand your current usage, dependence and witness the disarray and carnage in your pantry, your trash can and 
ultimately the landfill, you might not feel so good about your ways.
So when that moment arises, remember it’s OK because you can begin anew:
1. Acknowledge that you were not quite aware of all of the hazards associated with plastic /paper bag usage:
- 300 – 400 billion distributed every year and 60,000 used every five seconds.
- Since petroleum is required to produce plastic bags that equates to throwing away millions of barrels of oil.
- Nearly 200 species of sea life including whales, dolphins and turtles die due to plastic bags.
- Paper bags are not a better option as they require more energy to produce than plastic and 80% end up in landfills.
- Watch this slide show to learn more about the dangers of plastic bag use and read this article from Earth911.
2. Recognize that with this new information, you can restore your habits to more environmentally sound ones:
- Using just one cloth bag can prevent the usage of six plastic bags
- If 1 in 5 people switched to reusable bags, over our lifetime this would save 1,330,560,000,000 bags.
- Watch this video with Edward Norton to increase your awareness even further.
3. Purchase multiple reusable totes in different sizes and keep them in your car, purse, and briefcase.
- Click now to purchase online at One Bag at a Time.
- Pick up at traditional big box retailers like Target, Dollar Tree or your local grocery store.
- Do it NOW!
Plus leave a comment below or tweet me with this message and link – @GreenSamaritan I’m taking it 1 bag at a time! http://ow.ly/11SMF for a chance to win a set of two bags (your choice of color) compliments of One Bag at a Time. These bags will hold the equivalent of 3-4 plastic bags, 2 paper bags and are machine washable. I’ll select a winner next Friday, February 5th. (US Residents Only).
Also check back in (or better yet subscribe) when we review the most critical step- Step 4- Taking it one trip at a time to include the 4 phases of attaining environmental consciousness. Plus I’ll have details on how to enter another great drawing for a handy tool to help you remember to always bring your bags!
