Reusable Bags Benefit The Environment

By AR on October 21, 2011

One of the more widespread, recognized and popular coffee chains, Starbucks, has opted to put more energy into improving upon recycling. Based upon a QSRWeb.com com report, the third yearly Cup Summit showcased reps from distinctive fields of recycling including paper cup vendors, suppliers of raw materials, food and beverage merchants, recyclers and local municipalities. With the motive of eradicating coffee cups from our trash dumps within the next 4 years, several businesses joined together to talk about and strategize a functional program.

McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts also take action

After the launch of the frappe cup and cover which was created and released in ’09 in France, they have greatly lowered the need for virgin resin by over 123 metric tons yearly. Based on the recent report by the prominent fast food chain, this move also saved a similar amount in landfill waste. McDonalds in the U.S. have joined up with HAVI Global Solutions to alter the McCafe cups to an alternative plastic material known as CPP (Clarified Polypropylene). This particular plastic uses 20% less raw materials and saves the company about 15% of the normal costs for production. The CPP cups are also estimated to produce 20% less waste.

Eco friendly measures in Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin Donuts also has taken an active interest in integrating environmentally friendly techniques regularly. Endeavoring to lower waste significantly by next year, they are also seeking a sustainable solution for eco friendly cups. In 2009, Dunkin Donuts cut down the weight of foam and plastic cups in efforts to decreasing the total solid waste. A recycling program for foam cups is being structured and is estimated to be in place by the year 2013. In a fairly recent inaugural report, the CEO of Dunkin Donuts declared that they are dedicated to dealing with waste and packaging issues relating to their foam cups.

Minimizing contamination to maximize recycling

According to a recent responsibility report, barely 10% of Starbucks branches include recycling systems. Among other reasons for minimal recycling such as a shortage of amenities, ineffective communication and infrastructure, contamination poses to be the {hardest. When half filled cups are tossed into the trash can, it corrupts the other cups that may have been recycled. If the contents were removed from the cups prior to being discarded, the recycling volumes would instantly climb. Several reps of recycling businesses and also local environmental groups encourage customers to empty the cup prior to dumping it, a process that takes only a matter of seconds.

Starbucks presently makes use of more than 8 million paper cups a day. Everyone of these cups are recyclable but only 10% of the total are actually being recycled. Many environment concerned {advocates as well as business owners insist on consumers implementing as many recycling tactics as possible. Lowering the utilization of plastic and making eco friendly custom bags available. These recycled shopping bags are among the simplest ways to cut back solid waste and assist in conservational efforts. Implementing simple strategies such as installation of recycle bins and draining coffee cups can induce great results and radically boost the recycling system. Consumers are also asked to raise inquiries when recycling habits are not being adhered to.

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Replace Plastic Bags With Reusable Bags To Help Our Environment

By AR on October 7, 2011

Levying a tax on plastic bags is among the various plans used by governments across the world to decrease their use. A lot of countries across the globe have actually taken the approach to altogether ban the utilization of plastic bags. However the ones that could not, electedthis procedure and made it mandatory for all store and business proprietors to charge a fee on plastic bags.

At a cost of twenty cents for each non-reusable plastic or paper bag might seem very little, but multiply it with the number of times you go to the store each year and the number of bags you may have to buy each time. The amount may easily go over a hundred dollars. In lieu of paying out that much money on plastic bags retail outlets could offer eco friendly customized bags manufactured from recycled and organic materials. Durable recyclable shopping bags not only last longer than plastic bags, but they are more tasteful and much less harmful to our world too. Though the approach to charge a fee on plastic bags wouldn’t thoroughly eliminate them from the environment, the government expects to at least lessen the volume of waste material.

Aspen City Council approves the fee on plastic bags, hopes to reduce plastic waste

According to a Aspen Daily News story, the Aspen City Council had recently approved the “Waste Reduction Fee Ordinance”, which implements the 20-cent charge on non-reusable plastic or paper bags dispersed in the city. 4 of the 5 members in the city council had approved the ordinance, that will be finalized in September. Similar ordinances are also being contemplated by the Basalt and Carbondale town councils in an attempt to stimulate folks to carry their own cloth or jute bags for shopping. The previous endeavors of the authorities to educate the citizens to lessen utilization of plastic bags have not been productive leading them to resort to this method.

Current plastic bag use

If the median plastic bag utilization is evaluated, a person in the United States would probably end up having to pay about $80 for plastic grocery bags every year. By making people spend a specific amount every single time they request plastic or paper grocery or shopping bags, the councils expect to increase the use of bags that may be reused numerous times. This fee is going to be required on each and every bag that is given to the customers in local grocers but not in retail stores or dining places. The earnings generated with this charge would probably be used to inform individuals about the risks of utilizing throwaway bags and for implementing programs to decrease contaminated waste matter in the community.

In addition, funds may very well be invested in getting recyclable shopping bags into the city and distributing them among neighborhoods for a cost. The ordinance also permits grocers to retain 5 percent of the charge, up to $100, and permits them to use it for implementing the program and managing the costs. The local government would also be auditing the local grocers for compliance and also for making a note of bag use reduction in public records. However, should this technique fail, the council would be left with a huge sum of unallocated funds from the program and very little decline in plastic bag use.

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Who Really Benefits From A Fee For Plastic Bag Usage?

By AR on October 4, 2011

Plastic bags have grown to be one of the biggest environmental difficulties nowadays. They create environmental harm in many ways. Valuable natural resources are exhausted for the manufacturing of plastic bags. The bags are used only one time for a short time and tossed straight into the trash. Plastic waste disposal is problematic that lacks an effective solution. Since they are not biodegradable, most of these plastic bags continue harming land as well as oceans for thousands of years. They cause the demise of many of marine birds and animals, add to landfill waste and generate litter. A number of countries are making efforts to reduce the usage of plastic bags. Many towns and cities in the country are creating legal guidelines banning plastic bag use.

Ordinance to Impose a Fee on Plastic Grocery Bags in Aspen

In accordance with an interesting report in Post Independent, an ordinance to charge grocery store shoppers a fee of 20 cents for dispensing either plastic and even paper bags was announced in Aspen. With the first reading, the ordinance received almost full support from the council members with a 4-1 vote. Although a lot of members continue to have several unanswered questions and require additional specifics. Many questions surround the twenty cent number and the factors behind deciding upon this amount.

Questions Surrounding the Proposal

Council member Adam Filch is a supporter of the environment friendly movement. He even passed out absolutely free recyclable bags to voters while campaigning for council seat in spring. But in the initial reading, he was the only council member to vote against the ordinance. While the reasons for this are not clarified, previously Filch indicated concern about the success of a twenty cent charge in alleviating the usage of plastic bags. He furthermore expressed a desire to learn how the amount was arrived at and whether or not this represents the cost of {recovering a thrown-away plastic bag.

While some council members are convinced that the fee is simply too small to decrease the usage of plastic bags, others like Steve Skadron feel that a twenty cent charge could very well be too aggressive. As indicated by him, a ten cent or maybe a 5 cent charge needs to be considered. Aside from the consumers, the ordinance will also have an effect on grocers. Imposing a fee for a grocery bag can be a burden for the stores. As per the existing proposal, 5% of the charge goes to the stores as a compensation for the extra costs. Although council member Derek Johnson opines that this may very well be inadequate. Five percent of the charge will mean roughly $100 per month, which is incredibly low given that the grocers may have to invest in electronic register reprogramming as well as employee training. They could also experience productivity decline. According to Johnson, the matter really should be talked over with the grocers.

Grocers could use custom reusable bags to promote both their company and the green initiative. The leading goal of this approach is to lower the use of plastic bags. However in case the fee is unproductive in motivating individuals to give up plastic or paper bags in favor of reusable bags, it could earn the city about $1 million within a year.

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Ikea Joins Plastic Bag Ban

By rashie on April 2, 2008

First we reported that Whole Foods was dumping plastic bags – now it seems uber furniture and home decor giant IKEA is doing the same!

Last March 2007, IKEA set a goal of reducing its US stores’ plastic bag consumption by 50%; from 70 million to 35 million plastic bags within 1 year. The goal was to go reusable with the iconic IKEA blue bag for $.59 or use an alternative reusable bag. IKEA also said if that was not an acceptable solution, IKEA plastic bags could be purchased for $.05, with all proceeds going to American Forests (the nation’s oldest non-profit citizens conservation organization) to plant trees to restore forests and help reduce CO2 emissions.

Well, it seems their ‘Ban the Bag’ program was such a success, with more than 92% of their customers saying no more plastic bags, that IKEA will be taking another green step forward: as of October 1, 2008, IKEA will no longer offer plastic OR paper bags. IKEA’s consumer call-to-action is to use only reusable bags.

From the $.05 donations they received for every plastic throw-away bag that was used, American Forests will plant over 300,000 trees!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. consumes over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps each year. Each year, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags, and less than one percent of them are recycled. Single-use bags made of high-density polyethylene are the main culprit. Once brought into existence to tote purchases, they will accumulate and persist on our planet for up to a thousand years. Paper bags are also not the best alternative: stacking 10 pallets of paper bags is equivalent to one pallet of plastic, thus increasing the CO2 footprint. And it takes 14 billion trees to produce 10 billion grocery bags.

Go IKEA – let’s thank them and encourage other companies to do the same and GO GREEN!

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