BYOB – Clare

Bring Your Own Bag. That’s something that a lot of people are encouraging these days because plastic is not completely biodegradable and is therefore bad for the environment. I’m aware that there are a lot of places where the use of plastic is discouraged and even here in the country, shopping centers have their version of non-plastic bags that are being sold to be used and re-used during shopping.

Personally, I am very environmentally-conscious, particularly about things like garbage disposal. I hate it when I see people throwing trash anywhere, particularly on the street (toll tickets, tissue, candy wrappers and all that). People I work with know well enough not to throw their trash out the car window if I’m with them in the car because I end up lecturing them on the damage to the environment that they are contributing in. As I always say, you may think you’re only one person but if everyone thinks that way then the environment becomes a lost cause. I’m also very open about discouraging people from burning their trash, because this pollutes the air and damages not just the environment, but the lungs of the people who can take in the air from it as well.

But back to BYOB…my mom sent some re-usable canvas bags that are used widely in Europe and although I wasn’t sure if people would let me, I brought one when I shopped for toiletries recently and asked them to pack my purchase in my bag instead of their plastic bag. At first the cashier looked at me oddly when I asked her to put everything in my canvas bag and she had to stop and ask someone else in the store if it was OK. When I told them why I was doing it the cashier was given the go-signal to pack the toiletries in my bag. I think some of the people behind me in line found me a bit odd but were definitely curious and surprised that it was possible. On my end, I just felt good that in my own little way, I had helped the environment. One less bag that will eventually go to the trash and hopefully, it’ll help the store to encourage other shoppers to do the same.

I once attended a forum on waste management and I can say that this is a serious matter. I think we all have to take responsibility and do our part in helping lessen the damage that pollution does to the environment. This is the only world we’ve got. We need to take care of it.

Photo Source: Heal The Planet