Publix is getting on board - Bag the Bag

Submitted by Tony Crawford

May 8, 2014 2:28  p.m.

Bag the Bag will meet at 2:00 Saturday, May 10 at Sheffield's on Centre Street.  The meeting is open to the public.

Our Publix here on the island is doing it's share to help promote the use of re-usable bags. They are committed to cutting down the use of plastic bags. The "BAG THE BAG" committee has been working to get the word spread about how much damage plastic bags are causing our turtles, dolphins, and sea life.

There has been a lot of information put out about the environmental effects that plastic bags are having in our waters, in our landfills, and the carbon footprint they are responsible for. To sum it up is rather simple: Plastic bags are hurting our sea life. 85% of all sea turtles will be killed or injured by plastic bags. Our island has a great commitment to helping our newly hatched turtles make it from the nest to the water. Think about it... once they get there 85 % will feel the effect of a plastic bag. Not good odds. The bags are affecting all our sea life.

I know we have all been following the tragic events of Flt 370. How much have we heard about garbage floating around in the ocean. The Atlantic Ocean has one of the biggest trash patches and it is known as "The Great Atlantic Garbage Patch." This is starting to hit close to home.

There are many recycle bins for plastic bags around the island. Between Publix, Wynn Dixie, and Harris Teeter, 4.2 million bags are given out each year right here on our island. The fact is that 90% of them never reach a recycle bin. They wind up in our landfills, blowing around the island, or in the ocean. The problem with the landfills is that they aren't biodegradable, they hang around for hundreds of years.

It has been very encouraging to see the number of our citizens starting to use re usables. Many states and cities are placing bans on plastic bags, Hawaii being the first to ban them statewide. About 100 local governments have put bans on these bags. Many are coastal communities such as ours.

You will be seeing more and more information over the next few months with our efforts to encourage the use of re usables. Wynn Dixie and Harris Teeter are in the process of re evaluating their use of plastic. Many local business have backed this effort so far and I am sure many more will follow.

Please help, and encourage others to help in this effort. There is really no downside to this. The hardest part is remembering to take them out of your car! But this is a smart island and we can overcome that.