Downtown Springfield Inc. wants to persuade downtown merchants to help eliminate both paper and plastic bags.

The goal is to reduce the number of bags that end up in landfills, especially the non-biodegradable plastic that is the bag of choice at many stores.

Victoria Ringer, DSI executive director, said her organization is talking to retailers about a reusable bag that would become consumers’ “downtown bag” when purchasing items.

Ringer said a handful of merchants and DSI’s Image and Design Council heard a presentation from Joan Barenfanger, who, along with Jane Denes, has been driving the Better Bag Project.

According to the Better Bag Project’s Facebook page, others in Springfield — including the local hospitals, Office Depot, Schnucks, Springfield Clinic, and Wiley Office Furniture -- already are participating. Communities, businesses and groups nationwide have launched efforts to wean consumers off plastic bags and to use more eco-friendly paper and reusable bags.

They're supposed to keep the environment safe, but tests show they could be harming you. Experts say there could be lead in reusable bags from ...

Covers something that should be on all our minds – reusable bags. The accomplished preoccupation is these reusable bags are comprehensible purchases that do not impression the purse beyond some satchel liquid assets. While they incorporate Whole Foods, End, and Retailer Joe’s (intimate favorite on the inventory), they do misconstrue the ginormous IKEA reusables which I currently have filled with books for indulgence.

Please put the item in the bag

I want to use a reusable shopping bag, one just like the ones you peddle at the end of every till, telling us you will replace it free when it is worn out, safe in the knowledge that we won't. Ever. SO WHY DON'T YOU SET THESE FUCKING TILLS UP SO THAT

Will Aspen, Colo. Slap a Fee on Shopping Bags?

To encourage residents to use reusable shopping bags, Aspen, Colo., is considering placing a fee on single-use paper and plastic bags distributed at the city's two grocery stores. Photo: Creative Commons, by Daniel Case Just a month

Shopping bag revolution

Slowly, very slowly, and after a couple of false starts, there's a movement afoot to bring back the reusable shopping bag. I first became aware of it when PriceSmart warned customers to buy their strong large blue reusable plastic bags with handy

Move Over Joe Camel -- Plastics Lobby Targets Kids in Textbooks

The correct answer listed in the teacher's edition is: "Plastic shopping bags are very convenient to use. They take less energy to manufacture than paper bags, cost less to transport, and can be reused." In fact, reports Amy Westervelt,

Group alleges ACC influenced comments about plastics in Calif. curricula

It suggested that the text point out that plastic grocery bags require 70 percent less energy to manufacture than paper ones, that lightweight plastic bags save space and fuel in transport, and that paper bags are reusable, and also can be recycled and

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Reusable shopping bag - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A reusable shopping bag, sometimes called bag for life is a type of shopping bag which can be reused several times: this is an alternative of single use paper or ...

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What are your thoughts on reusable shopping bags?

marketgirl3128 asked: Im doing some deal in research for a school project and was wondering if anyone uses recycled reusable bags? If so what do you prefer it to look like and what do you use it for the most? And (one more) what is the most you would squander on it?

also if you wouldnt mind adding your age and state or city that would be of great help

msdesertkitty answered: I Passion the reusable shopping bags!! They hold more are alot stronger and my grocery store gives me five cents back condign for using them. It also makes me feel better than throwing out all those plastic bags since in my area there is only recycling if it is paid for. I don't truly care about what they look like as long as they are strong. I use they for everything groceries, moving, traveling in the car. I even went to a high road festivel recently were I saw many people with them. I will generally find them on sale for a dollar, but some can be 2-3 dollars. I over these are one way we can all help to be green.
29 Goddard Kansas

How would I be helping the environment by using those green reusable shopping bags?

Keyser Soze asked: We use the non-returnable ones as tidy bin liners. If I switched to the green bags, I'd have to buy my tidy bin liners, which are bigger and thicker than the supermarket shopping bags and thus worse for the setting. Is there something I'm not getting?

starchild answered: No, I adoration the way you think! The problem is that we go through hundreds of thousands of grocery bags a day! Most people do not reuse them, they offer their groceries in them for about 20 min to load and unload their car. Then they throw them away to sit in a landfill for hundreds of years. The idiosyncrasy is to rotate in your case. I use the linen bags for most of my groceries. Occasionally I will get a plastic bag and then reuse it to sweep up kitty litter or pack a lunch. If you reuse it wisely and only use what you have to then you are being environmental. I deem it is great that you recognize what will sit in a landfill longer and have made an educated decision based on that. Most people equitable chose to remain ignorant.