Yesterday at a Lucky Supermarket in San Jose, ACC helped launch the “Got Your Bags?” campaign, a partnership between Keep California Beautiful, Save Mart supermarkets, the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and others to encourage Californians to reduce, reuse and recycle their carry-out shopping bags. Joining the launch were San Jose City Councilmembers Ash Kalra and Kansen Chu.
“Got Your Bags?” partners include: Chris Peck, CIWMB; Council Member Ash Kalra, City of San Jose; Christine Flowers-Ewing, Keep California Beautiful; Kansen Chu, City of San Jose; Alicia Rockwell, Savemart Supermarkets; Tim Shestek, American Chemistry Council.
California state law (AB 2449) requires grocery stores and pharmacies with more than 10,000 square feet of retail space to provide bins for the collection and recycling of plastic shopping bags. Yet research shows that consumer awareness remains low, and shoppers often forget to bring their bags back to the store. The same holds true for reusable bags. Creating and implementing public education campaigns like this will help reduce waste, litter and marine debris.
Next time you visit the grocery store, don’t forget to bring back your plastic bags for recycling. In the meantime, you can reuse them around the house as to carry lunches or store small items . Remember, plastics are too valuable to waste!