Showing posts with label GoGreen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GoGreen. Show all posts

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Forget Plastic. Buy a Stylish, Reusable Shopping Bag.

Society's plastic bag usage is estimated at well over 500 billion plastic bags annually, or almost 1 million per minute. Plastics do not biodegrade. They'll accumulate and persist on our planet for up to 1,000 years. Plastic bags cause over 100,000 sea turtle and other marine animal deaths every year when animals mistake them for food. Read the facts and figures regarding the true cost of plastic bags.
Each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime.

Stop using plastic bags and get yourself some reusable bags. Here's some eye-catching, cute bags you can purchase.

1. ACME Bags™ - Plastic Bags Blow™ Dual-Handled Tote

Made with Fair Labor / Fair Wages
Size: 14.5" H x 11.5" W x 6.5" D
Long handles: 25" loop
Short handles: 8.5" loop
Price: $9.95
Buy 4-9: $7.95 each
Buy 10 or more: $5.95 each
Buy here: reusablebags.com


2. Envirosax - Set of 5 Flora Pouch, Reusable Shopping Bags

Includes 5 bags and a storage pouch
Pouch size: 9" x 6"
Individual bag size: 19.5" x 16.5"
Individual rolled up bag size: 4" x 1.5" diameter
Handles: 18" loop
Set of 5: $37.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


3. Organic Hemp Tote

Made of 100% organic hemp mesh fabric processed without the use of any chemicals. Made in Romania by a workforce that is treated fairly, paid above-average wages and provided with health and pension benefits.
Size: 15.75" x 17.5 x 3"
12" loop handles
Price: $8.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


4. Eco-Chick Organic Cotton Shopping Bags- Set of four


Organic Cotton
17'' tall X 16'' wide X 4'' bottom gusset
Double enforced 2'' wide straps
5'' X 5'' pocket inside of the bag
Set of 4: $140.00
Buy here: greenhome.com


5. Gecko Traders - Recycled Market Bag

100% recycled from rice & feed bags originally used for transporting various goods in Asia. One of a kinds. Handcrafted in small batches by disadvantaged workers in Cambodia. Each bag sold helps provide sustainable living to Cambodian weavers & producers, many of whom are disabled/economically disadvantaged single mothers supporting households.
12" H x 18" W x 6" D
10" loop handle
Price: $22.95
Buy here: reusablebags.com


6. Reisenthel - Market Basket, Baroque Sand

  • Winner prestigious Design Plus award
  • Durable, lightweight aluminum frame
  • Tough, tear-proof polyester cover
  • Collapsible, with removable supports on sides
  • Sturdy bottom with rubber feet
  • Soft rubber-grip handle
  • Zip pocket inside
  • Fair Wage / Fair Labor
  • 19" x 12" x 11"
    25 liter volume
    Price: $39.95
    Buy here: reusablebags.com


    7. Get Hip Get Green Reusable Shopping Bag

    Each sale will mean a donation to the children's environmental group "The Green Ambassadors" - Youth empowering youth.
    Dimensions 13.5" H x 12.5"W x 8.5"D
    1 for $6.00 or 5 for $25.00
    Buy it here: thegreenloop.com


    8. Love This Planet Reusable Shopping Bag

    Each year over 1 million birds and sea mammals die from plastic ingestion or entanglement.
    Dimensions 13.5" H x 12.5"W x 8.5"D
    $6.00
    Buy here: thegreenloop.com


    10. Fair Trade Jute Recycle Shopping Bag

    The bag features a 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle' logo on the front and a 'shared earth' logo on the back. Every bag is handmade and printed by women and self-help groups at a fair trade project in Kolkata. The supplier is a member of BAFTS & IFAT.
    Size H39 x W36cm.
    Price: £3.87
    Buy here: naturalcollection.com


    11. Freedom Tree Shopping Tote

    The Breast Cancer Site will fund 1.0 % of a mammogram for each Freedom Tree Shopping Tote purchased. Handmade by women rescued from a life of sex trafficking by a unique social enterprise called Freeset Bags in Calcutta, India. 100% natural, eco-friendly, and renewable jute fibers are used to make the bags.
    14" T x 12" W x 4" D (35.5 x 30.5 x 10.2 cm)
    Price: $12.00
    Buy here: shop.thebreastcancersite.com


    12.Waste Not, Want Not
    100% RECYCLED COTTON SHOPPER TOTE


    This 100% recycled tote is made with 80% post-industrial recycled cotton and 20% post-consumer recycled plastic.
    Size: 18" W x 17" H
    Price: $12.00
    Buy here: uncommongoods.com


    14. Envirosax Mikado Bag 3

    Designed in Australia, founders Belinda and Mark David-Tooze ensure fair labor practices and wages in their Chinese factories, making these bags all the more desirable
    (w) 16.5" x (h) 19.5"
    Price: $10.00
    Buy here: tobi.com


    15. Envirosax Mikado Bag 5

    Designed in Australia, founders Belinda and Mark David-Tooze ensure fair labor practices and wages in their Chinese factories, making these bags all the more desirable
    (w) 16.5" x (h) 19.5"
    Price: $10.00
    Buy here: tobi.com

    -More Envirosax bag designs


    16. Canvas Recycle Tote

    With a sturdy canvas construction, and the very recognizable recycle graphic in vibrant greens, the Canvas Recycle Tote features 22" handles, and an adorable olive green polka dot lined interior.
    Measures 17" x 13"
    Price: $36.00
    Buy here: patinastores.com


    17. Beau Soleil Beau Bag

    Buy here: shopbop.com


    18. Peas Recycle Tote

    This reusable bag is both figuratively and literally green. Once you've carried your groceries home inside, simply fold it into the special green pea on the front.
    Price: $12.74
    Buy here: modcloth.com


    19. Heavyweight Hemp and Organic Cotton Grocery Bag

    Available colors: Black, Olive, and Purple.
    Combining durable hemp and soft organic cotton, the Heavyweight Hemp / Organic Cotton Grocery Bag makes an excellent reusable tote bag stylish enough for everyday use around town.
    14" H x 12" W x 7" D
    17" handle length
    5.5" x 5.5" exterior pocket
    Price: $17.95
    Buy here: reusablebags.com


    20. Heavy Duty XL Hemp Tote

    Colors available: Natural, Black, Sage, and Brown
    Made of super strong 18 oz. hemp fabric. During the seller's trips to the grocery store they've noticed that using this one bag can cut down on 4-6 plastic shopping bags at a time.
    Manufactured in a small town in the highlands of Guatemala by a small family business that pays special attention to quality. Fair Labor and Fair Wage.
    Dimensions:
    17" W x 15.5" H x 7" D
    11" loop handles
    Price: $32.95
    Buy here: reusablebags.com


    21. Gecko Traders - Recycled Wave Tote

    100% recycled from rice & feed bags originally used for transporting various goods in Asia. Handcrafted in small batches by disadvantaged workers in Cambodia. Fully-certified Fair Trade Federation (FTF) member. Colorful, well designed & no two are exactly alike.
    Dimensions:
    14" H x 22.5" W x 8" D
    Handles: 12" loop
    Colors available: Blue/Green, Dark Pink/Orange, Green, and Blue.
    Price: $35.95
    Buy here: recyclebags.com


    22. Envirosax - Organic Series, Hemp Bag Natural Green Script

    Envirosax Organic Series bags are printed with vegetable-based inks and are all packaged in a recycled cardboard box that has been printed with organic soy-based waterless inks. Made from 100% fine grade hemp. Hip and stylish way to promote environmental sustainability and awareness.
    Dimensions
    Pouch size: 7.5" x 6"
    Individual bag size: 19.5" x 16.5"
    Max weight capacity: 22 lb
    Handles: 17" loop
    Price: $24.95
    Buy here: reusablebags.com


    23. Standard Reusable Shopping Bag

    Dimensions: 13.5x12.5x8.5 "
    Buy one at a Target Store (not available for purchase online)


    24. Cotton Shopping Bag with Print (Heavy Canvas)

    Two choices: "Take Action" (as shown in photo on left) and Grassroots Logo (as shown in photo on right)
    Price: $6.95
    Buy here: grassrootsstore.com


    25. Organic Cotton Bold Bag (one of my favorites)






















    BE BOLD! This bag says AND does it all. Get the message across to those still coveting the plastic bag.
    Dimensions:
    7'' tall X 16'' wide X 4'' with a bottom gusset for added strength
    Price: $10.00
    Buy here: bringyourownbag.ca























    26. Natural Cotton / Tweet Tote

    An original BYOB classic brought back by popular demand. The 'Tweet' bag will have you dreaming of Spring through those long winter nights.
    Dimensions:
    17'' tall X 16'' wide X 4'' with a bottom gusset for added strength.
    Ethically made in Vancouver, BC CANADA.
    Price: $10.00
    Buy here: bringyourownbag.ca


    27. Paper or Plastic? Just say 'Mi-Bag'

    With four designs (Zebra, Cat, Birds (photo above), and Elephant), you're sure to find your Mi-Bag.
    Mi-Bag holds a lot more than a regular plastic bag, but it can also fold into a small built-in pocket, so you can take it anywhere. body: W 18" x H 23" x D 7" pocket: W 6" x H 7". See how it works.
    Price: $24.00
    Buy here: id-adesigns.com

    28. Flip & Tumbles' 24-7 Bag and Loopt Bag

    24/7 Bag ($12.00):


    Loopt Bag ($6.00):

    Read about the two different styles: here
    Buy here: flipandtumble.com

    29. Baggu
    Choose your size and choose from a variety of colors

    - Baggu: A reusable shopping bag. Carry in your hand or over the shoulder. Holds the contents of 2-3 plastic grocery bags. 14" wide / 23" high / 5" deep. Folds into a flat 5" by 5" pouch. Holds 25 lbs. $8.00
    - Baby Baggu: A small reusable shopping bag. Perfect for your lunch, a six pack, extra shoes, a trip to the corner market. 10" wide / 18" high / 4" deep. Folds into a flat 4" by 4" pouch. Holds 25 lbs. $6.00
    - Big Baggu: A big reusable shopping bag. Carry in your hand or over the shoulder. 18" wide / 32" high / 7" deep. Folds into a zippered 7" by 7" pouch. Holds 25 lbs. $14.00
    Buy here: baggubag.com


    30. Skeeda Reusable Totes

    Comes in 11 different styles, including polka dot and other fashionable designs.
    Holds 2-3 times as much as normal plastic bags, so you’ll carry fewer bags.
    Dimensions:
    17" wide x 14 1/2" high with a 3" gusset
    11 1/2" handles (fits over your shoulder)
    Price: $15.00
    Buy here: skeeda.com


    31. This Bag is Garbage Tote



    Crafted from the colorful plastic bags that litter the streets of New Delhi, these totes are made using a unique non-toxic process that melts the bags together to create a durable material. Fair trade. 3 designs to choose from.
    15 x 12 x 5.5 (in.)
    Price $44.95
    Buy here: originalgood.com


    32. Rootote Medium- Stripe

    Size: 42(L) x 32(H) x 14(W)cm
    Price: A$20.00
    Buy here: rootote.com

    Buy a reusable bag, and help make plastic bags history.


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    Monday, November 10, 2008

    Have Unused and Expired Medications? Give To Take-Back Programs.


    Most people have a cabinet or area in their home used to store medication. I bet if you took a look in there you would find old, unused medications. Unfortunately, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy still advises people to flush medicine down the sink or toliet or throw them in the garbage.

    The truth is, flushing medications only leads the medication to end up back in our tap water and cause defects in animals. Increasing amounts of prescription drugs and personal care products are being detected in U.S. rivers, waterways, and groundwater. Wastewater treatment facilities are not equipped to “filter out” these chemicals, so drugs like antidepressants, cholesterol reducers and antibiotics are being detected in drinking water supplies. The risk to humans and animals of long-term exposure to these contaminants in drinking water is unknown.

    So what can we do with our unused and old medication? Luckily, "drug take back" programs are rising. There are facilities that can and will take your unused and outdated medicines and properly dispose of them. A lot of pharmacies are taking part in this. I found that the majority of locations follow these rules: Pill bottles, blister packs, ointment tubes, and leak-proof liquid containers are all acceptable. Remove or black out any personal information on the label to protect your privacy, but make sure the drug name is still visible. They do not accept scheduled drugs.
    If you do not see a location near you, please do not flush your medications. Instead:
  • Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers
  • Mix the prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as coffee grounds or cat litter
  • Put the mixture in an empty can or sealable bags and throw in the trash
  • When possible, return prescription drugs to pharmaceutical take-back locations

  • Locations by State (I will update as much as possible)

    California:
    - San Francisco
    - Recycled AIDS Medicine Program- Help Save Lives
    - Los Angeles
    - Pacific Palisades
    - Alameda County
    - Contra Costa County
    -
    Marin County
    - Marin County Pharmacies
    - Napa County
    - San Mateo County
    - Santa Clara County

    Connecticut
    - Information

    Illinois
    - Northern Cook County
    - Henry County
    - Grundy County
    - Iroquois County
    - Kankakee County
    - Livingston County
    - Marshall County
    - McLean County
    - Will County
    - Woodford County

    Maine
    - The Safe Medicine Disposal for ME program

    Massachusetts
    - Arlington
    - Braintree
    - Fall River

    Michigan

    - Washtenaw County

    Minnesota
    - Chisago County

    Missouri
    - St. Louis

    New York
    - Westchester County

    Oregon
    - Information


    Utah
    - Handled by Law Enforcement with locked, mounted steel collection bins in the lobbies of their stations

    Vermont
    - St. Albans

    Washington
    - Clark County
    - King County
    - Kitsap County
    - Pierce County
    - Snohomish County
    - Spokane County
    - Thurston County

    If you know of locations that have take-back programs, please contact me so I can add them to this list. As you can see, there are many states missing. Please send any information to WorldEvolved@gmail.com

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