Earth Day Every Day

I get really annoyed/upset when I go into a store on Earth Day and there are signs all over advertising 'green products' or using a reusable grocery bag for the day. These are easy, mostly affordable options that should be in use everyday. In fact, we shouldn't even have to think about it anymore, these practices should be as ingrained into us as brushing twice a day.

What I think is the easiest to do and to remember is bringing your own bag to the store, any store. By using one, only ONE, of your own bags, you not only prevent about 1 million bags from ending up in a landfill, waterway, or street, but you also cut down on plastic production. Producing plastic is an ugly, ugly process that creates tons of toxins in the air, water and land and cause cancers. Plastic bags are made from ethylene, a petroleum byproduct. Making these little nasties uses up 12 million barrels of oil a year, in the USA alone. Imagine how many more cars could be fueled if we brought our own bags to the store.

We haven't always been so dependent on plastic bags for our shopping. Plastic bags have only been around since the 1930s; that's not even a century. My grandparents are older than plastic bags! The damage that they have caused in such a short period of time is astounding. Thousands of land and marine animals have died, they've caused flooding by blocking sewers and drains, and don't forget the 'Island of Plastic' that stretches from the tip of Hawaii to Japan. This is literally an island of plastic bags and other garbage that has been washed into the ocean. As the plastic falls apart (it doesn't decompose), it creates a 'plastic soup' that is consumed by marine life. Needless to say, it's unhealthy for everyone and everything involved.

Imagine running into this while snorkeling in Hawaii on your honeymoon!


This is horrifying information, I know, but the solution is so easy and even fun! Most grocery stores and big retailers offer reusable bags for super cheap. Albertson's offers 10 bags for $10, (not a bad deal), and they're right there when you walk in the store! You can immediately forgo the plastic. Other retailers, like Target, offer a discount for bringing your own bag. Sure, it might just be ¢5, but it adds up! And who doesn't like a little money off the tab? Ikea, which I probably miss more than any other store since leaving SD, has started charging for their plastic bags, or they offer their sturdy nylon bags for 39 cents (last time I was there). The best part is though, the money they make from the plastic bags goes straight to the American Forests.

There are also a lot of online companies that are dedicated eco friendly retailers, like ecoshopper.net, who offer chic and stylish bags that you won't want to leave home without.


Neiman Marcus is even getting in the Green Game by offering reusable bags by Mikado. They are beautiful as well as earth friendly. This is a set of five bags, for all your shopping needs, all for $40.00. Not too shabby for high-end shopping!


I love bringing my own bags with me to every store I go to. I might get a few looks, but I like to think that I've also put some ideas into peoples' heads! I have a few bags that a friend of mine in San Diego made and people ask me about them every time I take them out (pictures soon). I love that being responsible can be so fun and such a conversation starter!

I have to say, it's pretty great being a 'moderne hippie'. I admit it!

Besides.....the planet doesn't stop turning when it isn't Earth Day, so why should we stop acknowledging that every day is Earth Day?