Billion Bag Blog

We are three weeks in and just getting started. We have about 75 people who have committed to change their thinking about one use plastic useage and we have already impacted the planet by having not used over 2200 items. It is a long way from a Billion, but hey we need to start somewhere...AND this is a great start. Keep telling your fiends and lets get that number moving. I imagine a time in the not so distant future that we will be able to see the number growing as we watch.

These weeks are flying by. We are now 5 weeks into our challenge and the counter is going up. I sence when we have a few hundred or a few thousand people committed that we will be able to watch the counter move. I am looking forward to it.

Right now we have saved the use of over 3800 items and counting at least 200 more each day.

How many items should I choose?

Take the challenge...but how many items can you commit to? The highest level of this challenge is 200 items, which in my estimation is the highest one can go. Here are some samples of just what you can do to change your habits.

1. First rethink your plastic bags and save up to 100 items per month. By eliminating the use of all plastic grocery bags you will reduce 1267 items per year or 100 per month. 1267 is the number of plastic bags used per person in the U.S. So buy some reusable bags and carry them in your car.

2. Second rethink your plastic bottle use and save up to 75 items per month. 
Replace your plastic bottle purchases with either stainless or polycarbonate reusable bottles. This saves 25 to 75 bottles per month. Plastic bottles are meant to be a one-use item and the break down and leach toxins with continued use.

3. Third rethink your restaurant purchases and save up to 50 items per month.
a. Go to restaurants that don't use disposable plates, cups and utensils.
b. If they don't offer reusables, make the request that they do.
c. Don't use straws or plastic lids if you don't need them.
d. Bring your own left over take out containers and cups.

e. Preference in cups
i. Not so good – styrofoam or plastic
ii. Better – paper
iii. Best – glass, reusable or bring your own cup

4. Fourth change out your bulbs and save up to 50 items.
Count your bulbs that you intend to change and change ‘em out.

5. Fifth, tell us about what you are doing so that we can spread the word. Submit a tip, picture, video or give us input on our blog.