PAPER, PLASTIC OR REUSABLE? The bag you choose does make a difference!
DID YOU KNOW THAT AMERICANS USE OVER 100 BILLION PLASTIC BAGS EACH YEAR? IF 25% OF FAMILIES USED 10 FEWER BAGS PER MONTH, WE'D SAVE 2.5 BILLION BAGS PER YEAR!
LEARN THE FACTS AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF
PAPER
PLASTIC
REUSABLE
WHAT RAW MATERIALS ARE USED TO MAKE THIS BAG?
USED PAPER BAGS
RECYCLED CORRUGATED CARDBOARD
RESIDUALS FROM WOOD MANUFACTURING
NON-RENEWABLE PETROLEUM OR GAS
POLYETHYLENE
POLYPROPYLENE
COTTON
OTHER DURABLE MATERIALS
AT THE END OF THE BAG'S LIFE, WHAT HAPPENS TO IT?
RECYCLE CURBSIDE
BIODEGRADABLE IN COMPOST
RECYCLABLE AT SOME STORES
NOT BIODEGRADABLE
THE LIFE OF A REUSABLE BAG IS QUITE LONG. PASS IT ON TO A FRIEND IF IT IS STILL USABLE!
WHAT % OF THESE BAGS ARE RECYCLED?
15 - 20 %
1 - 3 %
THESE BAGS ARE REUSABLE AND REFILLABLE. SOME CAN BE RECYCLED THROUGH SPECIAL RECYCLERS
HOW MANY BAGS WILL A FAMILY USE PER WEEK?YEAR
4 GROCERY BAGS PER WEEK = 208 PAPER BAGS PER YEAR
8 PLASTIC (1/2 CAPACITY OF PAPER BAGS) PER WEEK = 416 PLASTIC BAGS PER YEAR
4 REUSABLE BAGS PER YEAR
TAKE THE REUSE CHALLENGE
If every West Lakeland household reused bags for one week, we could eliminate about 10,000 plastic or 5,000 paper bags. That's in just one week. Can you imagine the impact over a month? year?
Reusable bags are easier to carry than paper or plastic, can hold more items per bag, and make less garbage!
Remember, if you are buying just a few items, it's okay to go without a bag altogether.
