How about a reusable bag? I love to support local businesses. So, today my pitch is in support of Chico Bag. They have a wonderful product line that is not limited to their well known reusable shopping bags. Their list of products includes book bags, bottle slings, produce bags, duffel bags and the list goes on. You can check out their entire product line at http://www.chicobag.com/t-productcategoriespage.aspx
Why should you care?
A LITTLE INSIGHT ON PLASTIC BAG USAGE RATES
- According to American Plastic Manufacturing, the average US per capita bag use is about 500 bags a year – the oil equivalent of about half a gallon of gas http://www.apmbags.com/bagmyths
- How long does it take for a plastic bag to degrade and break down. The simple answer is NEVER! The plastic will breakdown into smaller and smaller pieces but does it ever truly disappear? According to most scientists a plastic bag might be gone in anywhere from 10 to 100 years (estimates vary) if exposed to the sun, but its environmental legacy may last forever.
BACKGROUND ON SINGLE-USE PAPER BAGS
- Each year the United States consumes 10 billion paper grocery bags, requiring 14 million trees.
- Five industries account for 68 percent of all energy used in the industrial sector. Pulp and paper accounts for 6 percent of energy usage making it the fourth largest contributor.
Buying Chico Bags is a great way to support a local business and keep plastic garbage bags out of the landfill!!!
What is the one item you can’t live without on a daily basis? My favorite thing is a Klean Kanteen, which is a high quality insulated cup. This portable and durable cup keeps my drink cold for at least 12-hours and my tea hot for an entire day. I take my Klean Kanteen everywhere everyday.
The best part is that this cup downright saves me money and quickly satisfies my Triple Bottom Line goals: to positively impact people, planet, and profit. Instead of drinking soda I have improved my healthy by drinking water. I no longer have a plastic bottle to recycle. I save $3 per day or $750 per year! My $20 investment has a payback period of just 7 days.
What makes me even happier is receiving the discount retailer’s offer when I use my own cup at their establishment. A double whammy win-win! Another double whammy is the retailer reduces costs to purchase one-time usage cups and lids. So I save money and so do they! Quadruple home run!
Slobber is the name of the game with two 110 lb. dogs. They drool on everything, plus drink water and let half of it drain onto the floor. Say goodbye to this problem! All dog lovers – try EcoSense Hardwood Floor Cleaner. It sprays on and wipes up clean. I bought this product at www.greenfeet.com and Ace Hardware. Both retailers sell a full line of Ecosense natural cleaners with ingredients anyone can understand: water, vinegar, lemon juice. Simple as that! These ingredients are also healthier for air quality and my furry friends can safely lick or lay on the floor. A win-win!