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.