Friday, May 30, 2008

Rising Above Plastics in Arkansas

The Northwest Arkansas Times writes about two local movie theaters who have decided to replace plastic popcorn bags with paper ones and a natural foods co-op that has stopped passing out plastic bags to customers.

We decided to quit using the plastic grocery bags by popular demand," said Roger Hill, marketing and owner services manager. "For years our owners and other patrons have been asking us to get rid of plastic bags. Now we have done it."

The co-op used plastic bags for several reasons: cost, storage space and convenience for customers, he said. However, with the "Trim Your Waste"campaign in place, the co-op is encouraging customers to bring in their own reusable tote bags.

"Your best choice is your own organic cotton canvas bag, which will last for years, can be recycled in many ways and, if it eventually ends up in a landfill, will biodegrade in just a few months," Hill said. "Your second best choice is any reusable tote bag, no matter what it is made of."


This story of three businesses and a strong popular demand to end use of plastic bags shows again how deep the desire to end the use of single-use plastics runs throughout America and indeed throughout the world.

Read the entire article here.