Recycling Week October 2010 – School Tours

Recycling week has come to an end, but our focus on reducing what we consume and diverting from landfill should never end.

Reducing plastic bag consumption

I keep thinking about this plastic bag issue. Last night I was in Shopper’s Drug Mart and for the first time the cashier asked if I would like a plastic bag before just assuming and bagging up all my items. She told me that they now in fact charge 5 cents a bag. My mother was quite flustered by this saying that the only reason they charge is to cover their costs for the bags. I disagree.

So my question is: Does charging for each bag reduce consumption?

Humans have a funny nature of thinking twice when there is a price attached. Whether 5 cents or $20, people tend to think more when they are being charged. I think charging for bags can help reduce consumption in 2 ways. 1. People want to spend less and therefore use less bags 2. Retailers aren’t just assuming that you NEED a bag, and asking which makes the consumer think “do I really need a bag?” . With any hope, consumers will give their head a shake and realize it’s not that hard to bring a reuseable bag and with any luck cut back the drastic over consumption of plastic bags. My hopes is to eliminate the use of plastic shopping bags all together!

Here are some shocking facts on Plastic bags: http://www.greenerfootprints.com/plasticbagfacts/

Urban Impact’s very own Zero Waste Challenge

Urban Impact is looking for an interested, passionate and diversion eager partner in our very own Zero Waste Challenge.