GREEN HINTS FOR THE MONTH Sept09
(From Pine Rivers Climate Action Network’s newsletter)
What you can do to go plastic bag free:
What you can do to go plastic bag free:
1) Re-think: Reconsider your shopping habits and keep the next 4 steps in mind.
2) Refuse: Say no to single use plastic bags! Be loud and proud and let retailers know you are looking for an alternative.
3) Reduce: Reduce the number of plastic bags you bring home by being prepared with re-useable bags or ask if there are boxes available. You can also cut down on the amount of packaging on your bought items by choosing products in their natural state (farmers markets are great for this!) or select items that have recycled or recyclable packaging. Ask yourself the important question – “Do I really need this?”
4) Re-use: Before you toss something into the bin, consider how it could be given a second life. Does it need minor repairs or alterations to be functional once more? Or can you transform the elements on hand into something new? The following short video shows how the ubiquitous plastic shopping bag is re-born into a functional laptop carry bag.
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Fuse-Plastic-Bags-into-a-Laptop- Case-101244143
For larger items check out your local Reverse Garbage co-op, Freecycle http://www.freecycle.org/group/AU/Queensland or even the “Treasure Markets” at your closest refuse/transfer station.
5) Recycle: If you still end up with packaging and single use plastic bags after taking the first 4 steps, you can take your unwanted plastic bags to selected retailers who collect and recycle them. Look for the recycle stations outside retailers such as Coles and Woolworths.
2) Refuse: Say no to single use plastic bags! Be loud and proud and let retailers know you are looking for an alternative.
3) Reduce: Reduce the number of plastic bags you bring home by being prepared with re-useable bags or ask if there are boxes available. You can also cut down on the amount of packaging on your bought items by choosing products in their natural state (farmers markets are great for this!) or select items that have recycled or recyclable packaging. Ask yourself the important question – “Do I really need this?”
4) Re-use: Before you toss something into the bin, consider how it could be given a second life. Does it need minor repairs or alterations to be functional once more? Or can you transform the elements on hand into something new? The following short video shows how the ubiquitous plastic shopping bag is re-born into a functional laptop carry bag.
http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Fuse-Plastic-Bags-into-a-Laptop- Case-101244143
For larger items check out your local Reverse Garbage co-op, Freecycle http://www.freecycle.org/group/AU/Queensland or even the “Treasure Markets” at your closest refuse/transfer station.
5) Recycle: If you still end up with packaging and single use plastic bags after taking the first 4 steps, you can take your unwanted plastic bags to selected retailers who collect and recycle them. Look for the recycle stations outside retailers such as Coles and Woolworths.
