One Less Bag in Fort Nelson
Did you know that Fort Nelson used 57,805 bags in one week? That means 965 litres of oil were wasted to make plastic bags in Fort Nelson. Plastic bags are often only used for a few minutes as consumers carry their purchase from the store to their home, however they last for generations in our landfills. Fewer bags used means less oil wasted and less garbage in our landfill.
Many of the retailers in Fort Nelson are already making a difference, one bag at a time. True Value Hardware offers a free reusable bag with every $50 purchase. IGA, Northern, IDA Pharmacy and The Bargain Shop all have reusable bags for purchase as an alternative to plastic bags. Overwaitea customers receive 100 points for every cloth bag purchased and offer customers a variety of sizes, including insulated bags and totes. Cashiers at Overwaitea only bag large items if requested by the customer and ask all customers with smaller quantity purchases if they need a bag or would be fine without. Boondocks avoids plastic bags and offers 100% recycled brown Kraft bags and 100% post-consumer tissue paper to customers. The gift wrap service also uses brown paper rather than glossy paper with designs. Down to Earth Health Shoppe bags their customer purchases in biodegradable bags.
As a consumer, you have the opportunity to make a difference too. Start by dusting off those reusable bags in your closet or car trunk and bringing them to the grocery store. Add “reusable bags” to the top of your shopping list so you remember to grab them before you leave. If you do forget your reusable bags, ask the cashier to pack them as full as possible. Reuse those bags as many times as possible.
From August 21-27, using one less bag can further benefit our community! When you say no to a plastic bag, or bring your own bag, participating stores will make a donation to a local charity. Look for NEAT staff at local retailers, where we will be handing out free reusable bags. Let’s all do our part!!
