Now I’ve found a new passion. Writing a nonfiction work-for-hire book about plastic (Take a Closer Look at Plastic) gave me a reason and an opportunity to explore how and why plastic is so harmful to our environment. A newspaper article about a group in a nearby suburb trying to do something about the problems of plastic led me to investigate what could be done in our progressive village.
Attending our local Conservation Committee meetings, I met other like-minded people who wanted to do something. We formed a group, Bring Your Bag Shorewood, with a focus on education and a Facebook page. We posted signs in local stores to remind people to bring their own shopping bags. We gave away reusable bags donated by the Conservation Committee and a grocery store. We handed out “I brought my bag!” stickers to people who remembered. With people from that nearby suburb, we started a web site to try to connect with similar groups across the state.
Now we’re embarking on our most ambitious project yet: sewing reusable shopping bags to leave in stores. People who forget theirs can borrow one and bring it back for someone else to use. We’ve joined with Boomerang Bags, which started in Australia and is rapidly spreading around the world. We’re collecting fabric donations, fundraising, and planning our first Sewing Bee.I’m so excited about this project, which helps the planet by reducing the use of single-use shopping bags while keeping leftover and unwanted fabric (and gently used tablecloths, sheets, and clothing) out of landfills. I just made my first Boomerang Bag from hand-painted fabric donated by my neighbor. Next, we’ll add a pocket with our silk screened logo.
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all over the worldWhat’s your One Little Thing?
many little things add up:
one big difference
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JoAnn Early Macken
Wow! I loved reading your story of how one little thing leads to another and another until a big difference is made.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kay! We're figuring things out as we go, but it sure helps to have company!
ReplyDeleteIt's an awesome story of one little thing started and growing, growing. I wish grocery stores would lend a hand and stop using plastic, am amazed at how many people walk out with their carts loaded with groceries, IN plastic bags.
ReplyDeleteI've visited a few cities that have banned plastic shopping bags entirely - good on them! In my city, most grocery stores charge for plastic bags, and some donate the proceeds to environmental charities. I love your idea of helping to encourage the use of reusable bags to help cut down on plastic, which really is such a nasty product. Baby steps, perhaps, but every step forward is a step in the right direction, no matter how small!
ReplyDeleteYour "one little thing" is amazing because it really does make a huge difference. Thanks for inspiring the rest of us to find our own one little thing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone! Linda, studies show that charging for bags is the best way to reduce their use. Some stores around here give a small rebate on the grocery bill for people who bring their own bags, but it's not as effective. Jane, in Wisconsin and several other states, laws were passed that forbid communities from banning bags. (Grrrr!) That's one reason we focus on education. Linda, having something positive to do for the environment makes a difference in my outlook, too.
ReplyDeleteInspirational post, Joanne!
ReplyDeleteDoes stopping to color one's hair count?
Also, I'm trying to use less plastic film in the kitchen. For example, when I make our supper salads ahead, I put them in the fridge with a saucer over the filled bowls instead of that film.
I think "one little ideas"are very important, rewarding, and accessible to so many of us. How timely your blog post is to mine JoAnne. My "one little idea" is producing a zine with art and writing, and having a good portion of the profit donated to Planned Parenthood; you can view more of it in my Poetry Friday post.
ReplyDeletePlastic bags are banned in my town. One store tried to charge for bags, but there was an outcry and people banned the store instead. Plastic bags are still best for trash, though. Those type of bags aren't banned. I like the idea of the Borrow-a-Bag initiative. Good for you for using your skills to improve the world.
ReplyDeleteOne BIG DIFFERENCE indeed, JoAnn!
ReplyDeleteHurrah for you - and - thanks for sharing!
"One little thing" done by many becomes big. I live in a city that bans plastic bags (paper or reusable ones only in stores) and styrofoam. I was shopping with a friend in another state and retrieving the plastic bags of groceries from the spinner by the cashier felt so foreign.
ReplyDeleteI'm tickled to hear every One Little Thing--thanks to all for letting me know! Violet, I long for a plastic-free kitchen, but that day is still a ways off! Good for you for the film substitute! Brenda, if you're able to compost food scraps, paper bags work for trash. Our community is experimenting with compost pickup--I hope it works out! The biggest issue for us is cleaning up after our dog. Those "biodegradable" pet waste bags are not perfect. All we can do is keep trying!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great post all-around, JoAnn - those little things DO add up. Thanks for all the light you spread in the world, and for your wonderful words!
ReplyDeleteJA, you're a BIG inspiration! If you haven't read it, you'll like this post by Bruce Balan:
ReplyDeletehttp://authorsforearthday.org/blog/?cat=67