Think about it: do you really need that shopping bag?
Americans use more than 100 million plastic bags a year – each of which has a roughly 1,000-year landfill lifespan, according to recent studies.
Cities around the country, and countries across the world, have turned to the concept of reusable shopping bags as a means to reduce plastic waste. Here in Dutchess County, environmental and business leaders concerned with plastic waste in the Hudson Valley are teaming up next week to host “A Week of Green Shopping,” an effort to encourage the use of reusable bags.
The Green Shopping Week initiative, to last from Dec. 15-21, is a joint venture between the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council (DCEMC) and the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, said Judith Papo, a DCEMC member.
“One of the most important things we can do to help our environment is to reduce plastic waste,” said Papo. “Our goal for the week is to get people thinking about using reusable bags.”
Papo said the Chamber and the DCEMC have asked county retail businesses from supermarkets to clothing stores to participate in the program by giving shoppers with reusable bags discounts or coupons toward future purchases. The Chamber and DCEMC are also encouraging businesses to sell reusable bags from their stores for as little as $2, said Papo.
In an Oct. 30 letter sent to local business leaders, the Chamber and DCEMC promised to reward businesses that participate in Green Shopping Week with free publicity and promotional posters highlighting their commitment to the environment.
Several businesses have already signed on.
Adams Fairacre Farms will offer customers a five-cent discount per reusable bag they bring in from home, and will also sell reusable bags for $1. Babycakes Café in the Arlington District in Poughkeepsie will offer a discount for customers who carry home their take-out orders in reusable bags. The Poughkeepsie Barnes and Noble branch will sell reusable bags for $1.49 each.
To raise public awareness about Green Shopping Week, the morning it begins, Monday, Dec. 15, the Chamber and DCEMC will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall, said Papo, where many area residents will do their holiday shopping.
Papo acknowledged that for many shoppers, the use of shopping bags is a habit that could prove hard to break. Remembering to bring a reusable bag to a store is difficult, and slightly inconvenient, said Papo. Still, Papo said she was confident the idea could become popular here as it has in other places in the U.S. and abroad – if enough people become informed about the issue.
“Green Shopping Week is about trying educate people,” about the environment, said Papo, the central mission of the DCEMC since its founding in 1972. The initiative is not only aimed at educating consumers about the benefits of reusable bags, said Papo. Businesses have something to learn as well, Papo said.
“Retailers could actually save money in the end because they won’t have to by as many plastic bags,” said Papo. Businesses could even make money if the reusable bags they sell become popular with customers, Papo said.
Papo urged small, independently owned businesses in particular to participate, even if they cannot afford to offer customers reusable bags. “You don’t have to be a big box store,” said Papo. “Just encourage people to use their own bags.”
Papo said she hopes at least 50 businesses take part in Green Shopping Week. If the initiative is successful, Papo said the DCEMC could lobby businesses and consumers to use reusable bags year-round. “We want to use this as a launching-off point,” said Papo.
To join the list of participating businesses, or for more information, contact the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce at 451-1700 or the Dutchess County Environmental Management Council at 677-5253.