Decatur Is BYOB!
Bring Your Own Bag When You Shop Decatur

by Richard Cohen

Each year more than 500 billion plastic bags are estimated to be used worldwide. These bags do not decompose easily in landfills and are a common component of the litter seen on our streets, hanging from our trees and polluting our waters.

In recent years there have been efforts to reduce the use of plastic bags. For example, in 2002 Ireland decided to tax plastic bags and within weeks usage of these bags plunged 94 percent. And here, on April 22, Earth Day, Whole Foods stopped using plastic bags at the checkout counter.

Many supermarkets that use plastic bags now provide consumers with the opportunity to recycle them. Plastic recycling receptacles are often near the front of the grocery store. The recycled bags can then be turned into a myriad of plastic products. Some companies now produce biodegradable plastic bags so they will decompose rapidly in the landfill.

But there is one change that each of us can consider making, a change that has the potential of dramatically reducing our dependence on plastic bags – bring your own bags from home for your groceries and other shopping needs.

If the average family uses 10 plastic bags a week, they can save more than 500 each year just by bringing bags from home. Multiply this by the number of families in Decatur and there can be quite a savings in just one year.

So, where should we get the bags and how much will they cost? The good news is that they are cheap and readily available. Most large supermarkets as well as specialty grocery stores sell reusable bags for less than $2 apiece, with many selling for $1 or less. Plus, you may already have some appropriate bags just lying around the house. The bags that are often given out at meetings and conferences to hold study material make for great grocery bags.

Beginning in July, Decatur boutiques will offer a local, earth-friendly alternative to plastic and paper shopping bags. Decatur’s reusable tote bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and will be available for sale at participating boutiques for $15. Customers receive 10 percent off their orders when they bring in their Decatur bag. Visit the News Flash page in July for details and a list of participating boutiques.