A big problem...a small solution...
Ah...the plastic bag. While they are found everywhere these days, there was a time when they were more difficult to find. Today they're found in the streets, tree branches and streams - in every corner of this planet.
Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment?
John Roach for National Geographic
Plastic bags are so cheap to produce, sturdy, plentiful, easy to carry and store that they have captured at least 80 percent of the grocery and convenience store market since they were introduced a quarter century ago, according to the Arlington, Virginia-based American Plastics Council.
As a result, the totes are everywhere. They sit balled up and stuffed into the one that hangs from the pantry door. They line bathroom trash bins. They carry clothes to the gym. They clutter landfills. They flap from trees. They float in the breeze. They clog roadside drains. They drift on the high seas. They fill sea turtle bellies. Read the entire article on National Geographic
Crocheting with Recycled Plastic Bags is Awesome to Look at!
People are Being SOOOO Creative...You CAN, too!
There is an immense richness of ideas and work made by people who are just plain creative or have dreams of saving the environment one piece of trash at a time. What a wonderful world we live in; that we can see all this beautiful (in all senses of the word) work being done...
Tutorials...How To's...DIY
Isn't that what you want? Go ahead...make one!
- Crochet with Plastic Bags on Craft Central Station
- needlepointers contains a list of excellent links to all kinds of crochet with plastic bags. Tutorials on how to prepare the "yarn", hat, purses, rugs, granny squares, etc.
- Crocheting Plastic Grocery Bags into Tote Bags by Amelie Redman, Bethel, AK from Solid Solutions. To get a copy of Solid Solutions contact the EPA Tribal Program, 271-6323
- Top 7 Links For Crocheting With "Yarn" Made From Plastic Bags on about.com
- Instructions for Plastic Bag Crochet Tote on Marlo's Crochet Corner
Recycled Crochet Bags Video Clips
What some countries are doing
Brazil - Initiatives are local: the government of the state of Parana' imposed a deadline (11/18/2007) for grocery stores to come up with alternatives to circumvent the problems. Some stores adopted recycling programs, some are utilizing oxi-degradable plastic (degrades in 18 months) and some are selling reusable bags. The state of Sao Paulo launched an awareness campaign. The Federal government is pushing for garbage recycling, which already happens in numerous communities. Brazilians are very resourceful when it comes to recycling.
USA - Each year, the country uses one hundred billion plastic bags. In San Francisco (California), they were replaced by recycled paper bags. Some manufacturers are using corn and potato starch as a raw material. Reusable shopping bags are all the rage.
Bangladesh - Because they clog rainwater drainage networks, the plastic bag was banned. The measure includes the manufacture, marketing and use.
Ireland - The government has imposed a specific tax to inhibit use. The measure caused a 90% reduction in use. The money raised is for actions of environmental protection.
Taiwan - Stores are prohibited from offering free bags to the customer, patrons; they face fines.
South Africa - Government banned the use and drafted penalties of fine and imprisonment.
India - To prevent the ingestion of the bags, and death, by cows (sacred animal), some states banned their production, storage, use, sale and distribution. Penalties for infringement are imprisonment and a fine.
Australia- Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts is supporting Clean Up Australia, a national plastic bag awareness campaign Bag Yourself a Better Environment. Retailers and the community are being asked to reduce the use of plastic shopping bags, increase plastic bag recycling, and reduce the amount of plastic bag litter.
Think you have no use for those bags?
Check these books out...
The Bag Book: Over 500 Great Uses and Reuses for Paper, Plastic and Other Bags to Organize and Enhance Your Life (Lansky, Vicki)
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 07/09/2008)
Paper or Plastic: 101 Ingenius Uses for Plastic Grocery Bags
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)
Instant Expert: Crochet (Instant Expert (Thunder Bay Press))
Amazon Price: (as of 07/09/2008)
Do you know of something your community is doing? Do you like this lens?
Let us all know...
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greenmaniac
Very informative lens. Recycling plastic bags never sounded so fun- great way to reduce the load in our landfills. Posted July 07, 2008 |
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dmsky
Fantastic! I've added a small section to my crochet lens about using plastic bags. Maybe you could offer more suggestions? Posted June 20, 2008 |
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Evelyn_Saenz
5 stars, Favored and joined your Fan Club! Posted April 29, 2008 |
Love this page...it's so informative and well put together. I love to recycle and create tshirt bags for friends and family and buyers as well. Thanks for such a great squido page!
http://www.zJayne.etsy.com
Posted February 21, 2008
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NAIZA
Awesome lens! If every country only know how to use this method of recycling plastic bags, it would be much helpful to the Mother Nature. I really learned a lot. Definitely, a fabulous five!! Posted February 15, 2008 |
Other sites to visit
Visit my other squidoo lens on Pull Tab Crochet with links to wonderful recycled wearable items and how-to's







