Blog Action Day

OK, I'll bite. Today is blog action day a day when everyone is ecouraged to write about the same topic. This year's topic is the environment. This topic is near and dear to my heart. Actually, I am in the midst of collaborating on a blog dedicated to this very topic. So, I am going to add another voice and write about how I see the environment being polluted in my little sliver of the world.

Something I have noticed in the last year are the number of plastic grocery bags tangled in trees around Baltimore. Now, you have to realize that I am not a very observant person. You can dye your hair, get it cut, shave your beard, and I am not likely to notice. But I have noticed these bags. It's bad, people. Of course we can all ignore it in the summertime, but autumn is upon us and the leaves will fall to reveal this shame.

Plastic was supposed to be the alternative to paper, ironically, to save trees, the same trees we are now choking with plastic bags. Plastic bags are made from oil from what I understand, and I don't really understand. But the manufacture of these bags contribute to the depletion of natural resources, much like paper. Even if all your paper bags make it into the trash and go to the landfill, they are still going to the landfill. If you used paper, trees are cut down. What to do?

It is so simple. In the last year I have purchased a couple reuseable bags at the grocery store for .99 each. They hold tons more than those tiny plastic bags. Their handles are long enough to be carried on the shoulder. They are sturdy. They won't break. I don't have to figure out how to store them at home for re-use, I just carry the two I have back to my car. I don't have to feel guilty about filling the landfill. It feels good. If I am the only one doing it, what's the point right? So help me out here. It's a 99 cent investment. Sure, you may need more if you don't shop in small trips like I do.

So what is the objection? Please comment if you feel that the plastic grocery bag is an absolute neccessity. I am willing to change my mind. I have been wrong before. I would love to have a respectful debate on the subject.