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Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists reveal results of plastic bag reduction survey ers in various locations would en- stopped to find out about the issue. the number of plastic bags they pro- biodegradable bags are more excourage more of them to break their A small percentage of these pass- vide, many of which were identical pensive, and because they degrade News – “A habit is something plastic bag habit and use cloth bags ersby had no idea that plastic bags to those offered by the visitors to more quickly, they can’t be stored were a problem for wildlife. our booth. indefinitely. you can do without thinking – which or bins. Offering discounts to people who Another small percentage had Some of these were: don’t make Several retailers were of the is why most of us have so many of bring their own bags or bins was an- some awareness of the problem, and plastic bags available to the cus- opinion that it’s the customer who them.” (Frank A. Clark) other idea. on hearing how harmful plastic bags tomer; promote cloth bags more dictates the store’s approach, and were, promised to stop using them. actively; provide a box where cus- didn’t want to create a negative imMany people have acquired the Some people were inspired to renew tomers can put their used plastic pression. habit of expecting their purchases to Survey results In an informal two-hour survey their efforts to bring their own con- bags or drop off cloth bags for reuse As they prepared to answer the be put in plastic bags, not realizing the harm these bags cause to the en- conducted by one of our volunteers tainers. Most visitors were already by others; erect a flashing neon sign survey questions, a couple of retailat the local grocery store, it was ob- avid conservationists, pleased that outside the store to remind people to ers were shocked to realize just how vironment. bring a reusable container; charge much money they spend on plastic In Canada alone, between nine served that about 45 per cent of cus- we were publicizing the issue. Of the 23 stores surveyed in Al- more for plastic bags; put up snazzy bags per year. and 15 billion single-use plastic tomers had their purchases packed So, all you customers out there, bags are discarded every single year. in reusable containers or carried monte, Pakenham, and Clayton, six posters to remind people not to use wait for the customer to ask for a plastic bags; and make biodegrad- for the sake of our planet, break that Being so light and buoyant, most of them un-bagged. At another store in the area that plastic bag; 14 offer alternatives to able bags more easily available. bag habit, and bring your own reusthese bags escape the clutches of One retailer pointed out that able containers. the garbage collector, ending up in sells baked goods, crafts and nov- plastic bags, including biodegradFurthermore, because retailers fields, forests, rivers, and oceans, elty items, the results were quite able bags; seven have cloth bags for sometimes customers reuse plastic and wreaking havoc on millions of different. About 98 per cent of cus- sale; two provide cardboard boxes; bags for their kitchen waste contain- take their cues from their customanimals and their habitat over the tomers came out with their goods in eight provide paper bags; two in- ers, so the bags do have a second use. ers, as we found out from our survite customers to return plastic bags Most of the retailers knew about the vey, you also need to speak up and many hundreds of years that they plastic bags. A total of 244 people signed our for reuse by other customers; four environmental harm caused by plas- speak out! take to break down. Tell the managers whose stores This year, the Mississippi Valley ‘Take the Pledge’ form, including charge a fee for plastic bags; and tic bags, and most had taken action Field Naturalists (MVFN), in sup- people from Norway, Peterborough, one store on Mill Street doesn’t use to reduce the number they handed you patronize that you support initiatives to reduce the consumption port of our natural environment, New York City, Morrisburg, Strat- any plastic bags, not even biode- out. Nearly all the retailers that were of plastic bags. Let’s work together implemented the Plastic Bag Re- ford, Cobden, Sudbury, Windsor, gradable bags. Regarding the 14 stores that an- surveyed were keen to help with the to make our community an earthduction Project to address this prob- and Grand Bend. Many of the people who passed swered the question about the num- problem of one-use plastic bags, but friendly one! lem. You probably saw our booth at by our booth saw our banner il- ber of plastic bags they use in a weren’t sure how to handle the fact Theresa Peluso is the chairpervarious summer festivals such as lustrated with a sea turtle eating a year, the total was 3,169,350. That’s that customers keep expecting to have their purchases packed in plas- son of the Mississippi Valley Field the Almonte and Pakenham fairs, plastic bag (turtles think they’re jel- a huge number! Quite a few retailers also pro- tic bags. Naturalists’ environmental issues Celtfest, and Herbfest, or at the Pak- lyfish, which they prey on). About a quarter of the passersby vided ideas about ways to reduce A few retailers pointed out that committee. enham General Store, Patrice’s YIG or the Heritage Court, where our volunteers provided information to visitors about the issue, and invited Pricing example 12 x 12 layout Custom cabinetry them to ‘Take the Pledge’ in support Earn Designer’s Custom Series designed for your space of not using single-use plastic shoppoints: -Solid Maple/Oak frame Shaker styles. ping bags. at lumber store pricing!! We If you’re a store owner you prob-Solid wood Dovetail drawers. ably answered a short survey about -Blumotion Whisper-Glide slides/hinges. s. take your establishment’s use of plastic - Custom sizes and layouts available. Visa!! bags. -Lifetime Lifetime cabinet warranty!!!! Use our Thanks to the participation of 6.99%* all the people who stopped by our booth, and the store owners who payment took the time to answer our survey, plan!! our group learned a lot about the issue and got some great suggestions about how to solve this problem. Our visitors told us how countries, like Germany, have simply outlawed plastic bags, and so they’re just Pricing example 10’ x 10’ layout not available. Some suggested that Builder’s Choice Series stores have a bin with used plastic Call us today for a FREE in-home estimate and design! -Solid Maple/Oak frame Shaker style. bags brought in by customers for -Natural woodgrain interiors. those who have forgotten their reWe serve all of Eastern Ontario from Kingston to -All metal drawer slides/hinges. usable bin or bag. (This wouldn’t Lanark to Ottawa to Cornwall and all points in - Custom sizes and layouts. work, for hygiene reasons, in a store between. Lifetime cabinet warranty!!!!! selling food.) Yrs Others recommended offering We are also specialists in complete renovation alternatives to plastic bags, such as HWY 29 North Brockville 342-5800 heritagekitchens.ca of great ideas services for all budgets. *OAC 6.99% on $15,000 minimum purchase. 7.25% for $10,000-$15,000. Flexible terms. Call us for details. cardboard boxes and cloth bags, and displaying them more prominently. Also, posting reminders to customR0012224644_0725
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