Green Hints - Carry Reusable Bags

Every year more than 340 billion plastic bags are thrown away in the US. Cities spend up to 17 cents/bag in disposal costs. There is enough petroleum in fourteen plastic bags to drive a car one mile.

Although asking for paper bags may seem like a better choice, we need to remember that making paper bags emits 70% more global warming gases than making a plastic bag and that paper bags do not biodegrade easily in the landfills due to lack of oxygen.

Before heading to a store next time consider keeping few reusable bags in your car or packing few foldable bags in your pockets and say no to plastic bags wherever possible.

Contributed by: Sameer Kapileshwari
Director � Utility Services
Energy Conservation and Sustainability Director