BYOBag Marin supporter Martha Pearl-Logan of Mill Valley shops the Marin County Farmers Market with a reusable Reisenthel tote.
WHAT WE’RE DOING ABOUT IT
Marin County hopes to lead the nation in eliminating environmentally irresponsible single-use plastic bags. Supervisor Charles McGlashan, working with colleague Susan Adams, has authored an ordinance that will ban throw-away plastic and paper bags. With support from community groups and businesses, we can ensure its passage on Earth Day 2010.
This campaign, the first of its kind in the country, is raising public awareness and creating the support and political will needed to pass this legislation. Teens Turning Green (TTG) has partnered with Bay Area based Butler Shine Stern & Partners, an award-winning ad agency, to brand the campaign, enhancing its image and effect. Teens Turning Green, EcoMom Alliance, Ireuse.org and Green Sangha are partners in forming this movement to contribute to the health of our planet.
GOALS
- Decrease waste
- Reduce pollution of air, soil, and water
- Save resources (oil, trees, water)
- Decrease litter
- Reduce costs for stores (each grocery store plastic bag costs a penny; paper bags cost 5-8 cents)
- Improve city and town efficiency (litter clean-up takes city employees’ time when all municipalities are working hard to balance their budgets)
- Reinforce the community ethic of stewardship and care for the commons
WHAT STORES CAN DO
- Proclaim BYOBag: Marin (e.g., press release; signs outside store; displays at each check-out counter; in-house newsletter messages; check-out “stuffers”). Our next date is Saturday March 3 from 11 am– 3pm ( and each third Saturday of the month through April). We can provide volunteers at your store, signage, cards to go on registers or art work.
- Reinforce the message to BYOBag on the 3rd Saturday of each month.
- Make reusable bags available and prominently displayed at check-out counters.
- Give a generous credit for each reusable bag a customer brings on BYOBag: Marin day (we suggest a minimum of 25 cents, to catch customers’ attention and reinforce the point).
- Sign a letter endorsing a county-wide ban on free throw-away bags at retail stores and markets.
BYOBag Marin Day is the third Saturday of every month, at participating grocers. Come join us on January 16, February 20, March 20, and April 17 as we work to educate the public and pass this ordinance!
Contact us if you are interesting in getting involved!
BENEFITS TO STORES
Save money on bags (grocery stores in particular run on very thin profit margins)
Meet organizational objectives to improve their green profile
Enhance respect in the community by taking leadership in the drive to zero waste