RE: [greenyes] Recycling of Plastic Grocery Bags...

["Vincent Cobb" <vincentcobb@no.address>]

www.reusablebags.com offers plenty of information and links to dozens of
news articles on the topic of plastic shopping bags. Anyone interested in
learning more about the problems (and solutions) to the plastic bag dilemma
should visit the Newsroom and Fast Facts sections. Also we are going to
start sending updates on the issue soon via a monthly newsletter which you
can sign up for at the site.

After spending hundreds of hours researching the issue, the most prudent
solution is for cities (and states) to implement a consumption based plastic
bag tax modeled after Ireland's PlasTax. It makes lot's of sense for all
parties (consumers, retailers, environmental groups, etc.) and the results
in reducing plastic bag consumption and litter have been amazing (aprox 90%
reduction). Bottom line? It works.

Our site went live about 6 months ago - please help us spread the word on
this issue by letting your peers/members know about our site.  First thing
we need to do in the US is make people aware of the issue and solutions!

Here are some direct links to several of the specific issues that have come
up in recent days:

Summary of Ireland's PlasTax
http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=6

Articles on PlasTax, South Africa's proposed ban on THIN plastic bags, etc.
http://reusablebags.com/news.php?id=3

Recycling plastic bags is no panacea
http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=5

Trashing our Oceans (links to news articles)
http://reusablebags.com/news.php?id=11


Vincent Cobb
vcobb@no.address

ReusableBags.com- High-quality, innovative reusable
shopping bags and related accessories, plus facts & news
on the global push to reduce plastic bag consumption,
and simple actions you can take to help the cause!

-----Original Message-----
From: Amy Hemmert [mailto:amy@no.address]
Sent: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 3:44 PM
To: greenyes@no.address
Subject: Re: [greenyes] Recycling of Plastic Grocery Bags...


Speaking of plastic bags...

I came across an article (about a year ago?) describing a program that had
just been implemented in Africa (South Africa maybe?). I seem to recall that
they passed a law making it illegal for stores to give away plastic bags.

Sorry I don't have any more information, but maybe someone else does... I'd
be interested in learning more about it. Has it reduced the amount of
litter? Have consumers responded positively to the program? (I seem to
recall a quote from an enterprising woman who was upset because her
business--making clothing & accessories out of salvaged plastic bags--was at
risk. Imagine that--not enough litter!)

Amy Hemmert
Obentec, Inc.
amy@no.address
831-457-0301
www.laptoplunches.com
___________________________________________________________________

In support of America Recycles Day, Obentec is offering discounted
waste-free lunch kits to schools and other organizations interested in
promoting waste-free lunches.

For more information, visit www.laptoplunches.com/schools.html.