Stewardship Tip Oct 17th,2008 – Plastic Bags
We spent the last three weeks living out of a suitcase and were relieved when our schedule lightened up a bit. Business had taken us out west, so we took a little break and drove up to Yosemite. California is a land of contrast, the hustle of the urban jungle quickly gives way to the majesty of El Capitan, the Half Dome, and the Mariposa Grove.
We were, however, quite disturbed by the sites as we drove east on California 120. The highway was teeming with debris. Of all the litter, we noted a tremendous number of plastic bags. We certainly don’t mean to pick on California; the problem occurs everywhere.
Paper or plastic? Somewhere along the line, that phrase became a cliche. As we checked out at the grocery store, eager clerks would inquire as to our preference for “bagging” or “sacking” our groceries. As time passed, more retailers offered plastic bags.
Our tip this week is simple and heartfelt. Give up plastic bags. Pick up a canvas bag for groceries and take it with you when you go to the store. For smaller purchases, forego a plastic bag when the clerk offers. For the supply that is sitting in the closet, recycle them. Many stores have recycling bins where you can deposit your plastic bags.
Why it is important to the fish: Litter, like water, will find its level. It travels downhill; a great deal of our litter, including plastic bags, finds its way into our waterways. We’ve noted in previous communications that, in many areas of the ocean, plastic outnumbers plankton by a factor of six.
Whether it affects sea life at the lower end of the chain or the predators at the top, plastic bags endanger our waterways and ultimately our fish.
For more information on recycling plastic bags, visit Plastic Bag Recycling.
This week’s sponsor-partner: New pro Product’s
NewPro Prooduct’s V-T2 Livewell & Baitwell Ventilators use the physical laws of nature to provide a stable and healthier livewell & baitwell environment. The V-T2 is an all natural, environmentally safe, and affordable method for cooling livewell/baitwell water, increasing dissolved oxygen, and reducing harmful metabolic waste (CO2 gas). Their partnership makes this week’s “Stewardship Tip” possible.
Rising demand for our weekly Stewardship Tip and a new partnership with Fly Cast America now makes the Stewardship Tip available in Spanish. Ahora, reciba el Stewardship Tip en español. Gentileza de Fly Cast America.
To read the weekly Stewardship Tip in Spanish, click here Simplemente haga click aquí si desea recibir el Stewardship tip en Español.
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