http://www.greenlivingonline.com/EcoGeek/ask-the-eco-geek-plastic-grocery-bags/
(Feb 28, 2007)
My local Dominion has a huge bin for recycling plastic grocery bags. But what happens to them? And why don’t other stores offer this service? - Joyce Desjardins
Dominion stores, along with sister companies such as A&P, first offered a recycling program aimed at plastic bags in 1996. This year, they expect to recycle over 400,000 kgs of plastic bags and other packaging collected at stores. The material is used remake bags or create plastic deck lumber. Tammy Smitham, director of communications for A&P Canada, says that while the company essentially breaks even on the venture, the environmental benefits and consumer goodwill make it a winner. Most other stores will accept bags, ostensibly for recycling, but don’t publicize the service, perhaps because they fear the challenges of handling large amounts of plastic. However, with the average Ontario resident using over 200 plastic bags yearly, eliminating the bags in the first place should be the ultimate goal.
Ask the Eco Geek: Plastic Grocery Bags
Dominion stores, along with sister companies such as A&P, first offered a recycling program aimed at plastic bags in 1996. This year, they expect to recycle over 400,000 kgs of plastic bags and other packaging collected at stores. The material is used remake bags or create plastic deck lumber. Tammy Smitham, director of communications for A&P Canada, says that while the company essentially breaks even on the venture, the environmental benefits and consumer goodwill make it a winner. Most other stores will accept bags, ostensibly for recycling, but don’t publicize the service, perhaps because they fear the challenges of handling large amounts of plastic. However, with the average Ontario resident using over 200 plastic bags yearly, eliminating the bags in the first place should be the ultimate goal.
Got a pressing environmental question? Ask Steve Bearton, journalist, environmental advocate and the Eco Geek!
3 Comments
posted Feb 19, 2008 - 2:47 pm by Robert Sloan
What is the best eco-smart/ hot liquid (coffee cup), on the market?
posted Mar 1, 2008 - 12:07 am by pirhan
I don't get the whole thing against plastic bags. Our local grocer has degradable bags - which I then use for garbage. Why eliminate degradable bags, and then pour energy into plastic bags for garbage?
posted Mar 6, 2008 - 7:42 pm by Roxanne Star
Yes, we certainly need to be thinking about these stupid plastic bags. We do put are garbage into plastic bags, is that right? Nope, I don't think so. But there is an excessive unnessecary useage of plastic bags and store packaging. Usually, one would have to rip through several sheets of unnessecary plastic just to get the the product in side. Is this acceptable? I think not. Everyone needs to be aware of what they are doing to the earth, and to the ones that don't care, go live on some other planet. Just be informed, and try to make a difference, we save our planet if we work together as one.
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