sustainability tip of the week

According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. In Flagstaff, plastic bags can be returned to grocery stores for recycling, but they cannot be placed in curbside recycling at home.

Cutting plastic bags out of your life can have a huge impact on the environment by saving non-renewable fossil fuels, reducing litter and improving ecosystem safety for wildlife.

Here’s how:

  • Keep reusable cloth bags in the trunk of your car for easy access.
  • Can’t seem to remember to bring your bags into the store with you? Try keeping a note on your dashboard for two weeks to help create a habit for yourself.
  • Keep in mind that reusable bags are great for groceries, clothes shopping, toting home crafts supplies, books and any other shopping you might be doing–don’t limit yourself to the grocery store.

Sustainability tips are provided by Heather Farley, program coordinator for the Office of Sustainability.
Send questions or comments to Heather.Farley@nau.edu.