Braes Bayou Association

How to Reduce the Use of Grocery Store Plastic Bags

For over 30 years, grocery store plastic bags have been an expected contribution to carry out our purchases. While they  do serve as a convenience, they are environmentally damaging if not properly handled.  Plastic bags take nearly 1000 years to biodegrade, releasing toxic chemicals as they do so. Because of their light weight, many are carried by the wind into waterways and contribute to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is now twice the size of Texas.  Once there, they create hazards for marine life, due to suffocation and stomach blockage if eaten.  Check out this video to get more information on the "life cycle" of a plastic bag: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw.

To reduce plastic bag load on the environment, try reusing bags made of canvas or cloth. Develop habits that will encourage their regular use. Remember to bring them back to your car after unloading grocery store purchases, placing your car keys or cell phone inside one as a reminder. Encourage yourself  to walk back to the car to get the bags if you forget to take them into the store with you.  Keeping a collection of 10-15 bags is sufficient for the average household. If cost is a concern for bag purchase, check out community events and on-line promotions which often distribute free bags or ones at reduced cost. Also find ways to recycle the bags--many stores still offer receptacles for their deposit.   More ideas and suggestions can be found at the facebook site "Do You Need a Bag for That?":  http://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/photo.php?fbid=139009749442973&set=o.132550276764454&type=3&theater.

Many cities have adopted restrictions or bans on use of grocery store plastic bags.  Brownsville Tx adopted a successful ordinance a couple years ago, while Austin and Galveston are attempting similar ones. If you are interested in Houston also adopting restrictions, please consider signing this petition:  http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/gavinroy777/.  In the meantime,  try  the reusable bag route to reduce plastic bag pollution.  Wouldn't it be nice to see Houston free of plastic bags blowing everywhere and getting stuck in the trees, eventually ending up in the ever-growing Pacific Garbage Patch?