I was at a kid’s birthday party over the weekend and found another way that we can all be a little more “GREEN”. Instead of using wrapping paper or even paper gift bags that create waste, trying using reusable tote bags as the “bag” the gift is given in. Many of the gifts were in Disney Character tote bags, which make the “wrapping” fun and eco friendly. If everyone did this when giving gifts we will be just one more step in making a HUGE difference in making our earth a little more green.

Plastic bags are not the environment’s enemy – the enemy is the lazy consumer.  The quick easy answer for environmentalists is to “ban plastic bags”, but that is not realistic.  We need to encourage the education of different methods of “reusing” the plastic bags that we receive as consumers and dispose of the bags properly at recycling centers.  Also, stores should be required to offer plastic bag recycling centers and give a cash back incentive to consumers if they are reusing their plastic bags!

Tips To Keep Your “Green Bags Clean”

• Wrap uncooked meat, chicken and seafood in plastic bags before packaging them into your reusable tote.
• Regularly wash or use disinfectant wipes to clean your bags.
• Do not use the same reusable bag to carry sweaty gym clothes to carry your food.  This will help minimize bacteria contaminating your food.
• After use, turn bags inside out and hang up to dry.