EarthSAKS goes to Paris!

A friend of EarthSAKS, Judy Keneklis of De Pere, WI, recently traveled to Paris and sent us this picture. Judy loved using EarthSAKS in her travels. "These bags are great for the traveler. They fold up into their handy little pouch and are wonderful to keep in your purse or pocket. I used mine over and over while in Paris."

Thank you Judy for sharing your testimonial!

Think Before You Toss!

Nothing makes me more upset than driving around the neighborhood and seeing piles of "stuff" being thrown away. I'm not talking about household garbage - I'm talking about useful items that people have gotten tired of. . . the entertainment center that doesn't work with the new big screen TV, the computer printer that is two years old and isn't as up-to-date as a new one, the Weber grill that someone decided was obsolete. . .you get the picture.

We have become a "throwaway society". If it's not new enough, we toss it to the curb. Most people don't even consider where it goes after the big truck comes and loads it up. Out of sight and out of mind has become the American way of life.

Landfills are becoming filled at an ever increasing rate and it's time to re-think what we do with our "stuff". Like many Americans, I have too much "stuff". As my husband and I start to simplify our lives and pare down our belongings, I started looking for ways to put our things to good use. Many people donate to Goodwill and other local charities, which is great. But if something is not in almost new condition, they don't want it either and again, it goes to the landfill.

I recently discovered freecycle.org, which is a magnificent way to reduce the amount of items going to the landfill. I have personally given away furniture, dishes, computer parts, art supplies, fabric and tons of other things that I know went to people who really wanted the items and will use them. ReStore is another great place to donate wood, hardware, appliances, light and plumbing fixture that may normally be tossed out when doing a remodel. These items are sold in the ReStore and money goes to support Habitat for Humanity.

Here's just two of many great options for getting rid of things. It's simple - if it can be used by someone else - please keep it out of the landfill and find someone who can use it!

New Reusable Sandwich Bags!

Are you sick of throwing away hundreds of plastic ziploc bags each school year? EarthSAKS has developed a solution with our new line of reusable sandwich and snack bags called SammieSAKS. These cute reusable bags are super cute and come in a variety of fabrics. The outside is a colorful cotton and the inside is lined with nylon to make it waterproof. The extra large size (7" x 8") will accomodate even the biggest sandwich or bagel. The best part is. . . (drumroll, please) these bags are made right here in the U.S.A. Even with the messiest peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you can rinse them out and use them again the next day. They'll pay for themselves in no time. So now you have no more excuses for using those despicable plastic bags! Go to our website to see more styles http://www.earthsaks.com/buysaks_c362785.html

What's so bad about plastic bags?

I get asked this question all the time. Many people just don't get it. Here's just a few of the ways that plastic bags are ruining our earth. Memorize them so you can pass the info along to your friends and family.

Plastic bags litter the landscape. Once they are used, most plastic bags go into landfill, or rubbish tips. Each year more and more plastic bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes.

Plastic bags kill animals. About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles whales, penguins are killed every year due to plastic bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it.

Plastic bags are non-biodegradable. And one of the worst environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable. The decomposition of plastic bags takes about 1000 years.

Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags. As it is, petroleum products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have been using this non-renewable resource increasingly. Petroleum is vital for our modern way of life. It is necessary for our energy requirements – for our factories, transport, heating, lighting, and so on. Without viable alternative sources of energy yet on the horizon, if the supply of petroleum were to be turned off, it would lead to practically the whole world grinding to a halt. Surely, this precious resource should not be wasted on producing plastic bags, should it?

First city in Washington to enact plastic bag ban!

The Edmonds City Council approved the ban Tuesday night 5-1, saying plastic bags hurt the environment and are easily replaced by reusable grocery bags.

Edmonds estimates its residents carry away some 8 million disposable bags from checkout counters each year.

"They're really no more than a convenience we've gotten used to," Councilmember Strom Peterson said before the meeting. "The risk to the environment outweighs the convenience."

To read more visit this site - http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009555416_bagban29m.html

New Products Coming Soon!

I'm excited about several new products we're about to release. Great new items for fundraisers. Stay tuned!

Plastic Bag Bans are Spreading!

Here's the latest - I love it!

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS - April 10, 2009

EDMONDS, Wash. -- The Edmonds City Council voted to pursue a ban on plastic bags that could be adopted as soon as June.

The Everett Herald reports that would make Edmonds the first city in Washington to regulate plastic bags as a way to reduce pollution and improve the environment.

Another Plastic Bag Ban!

San Francisco was the first community to ban plastic bags over a year ago and now little Westport, Connecticut has followed suit. There is legislation being proposed all over the country right now to have plastic bags banned - and I say, "about time!". These little things create a huge mess. When you consider the thousands of these things that each family brings home, it's no wonder our landfills, countrysides and waterways are full of plastic bags, which by the way, never fully decompose.

If you really want to make a difference, start doing small things like carrying a reusable bag. Small changes make a big difference!

New reusable bags are almost here!

I'm so excited! Our beautiful EarthSAKS are on their way. After more than 8 months of planning and production, our bags are being shipped. It's been a long journey - trying to find a quality supplier that could manufacture our bags and also meet our requirements as a Fair Trade/Fair Labor manufacturer. After receiving many samples and interviewing many suppliers, we finally found a partner in China that we are pleased to work with. These bags come in 4 beautiful colors inspired by Mother Nature - Poppy Red, Peacock Blue, Kiwi Green and Chocolate Brown - all so yummy!

Say "NO" to Paper AND Plastic!

"We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love." - Mother Teresa

Do you realize you can make a difference just by bringing a reusable bag or not taking any bag at all when you make a purchase. Stores are always anxious to drop even the smallest item into a bag. Once we have the knowledge of what incredible waste we're heaping on the planet, we can begin to change our habits.