The first ever “A Day Without A Bag” occurred on Thursday, December 20. Various cities, including Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, partnered with Heal the Bay and other organizations for this event.

Consumers were urged to bring their own reusable bags in place of paper and plastic bags that are normally used to hold purchases.

Reusable bags were given away at various locations around Los Angeles County as part of this event. The bags given out where donated by Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, Ralphs, 1 Bag at a Time, BYORB, ChicoBag.com, Earthwise Reusable Bags, ECOBAGS, and West 19^th. Each group donated bags with their own designs and logos.

The largest give away event for “A Day Without a Bag” was at the Grove. A press conference and bag give away occurred under the big Christmas tree. Bags, donated by the County and City of Los Angeles, were handed out by a Green Santa and his elves. ChicoBags’ “The Bag Monster” also made an appearance.

Several government leaders, representatives from Ralphs and 99¢ Only Stores, actors Amy Smart and John McGinley were among those who attended this event and showed their support.

“All we gotta do is change the way people think. Put it into people’s minds,” said Councilman Greig Smith. “We need to let people know that [by using reusable bags] they will feel good about themselves, feel good about what they’re doing and help the environment. Everybody wins; it’s a no-brainer.”

Actress Amy Smart told the crowd, “Using these bags can be stylish. Personally I have a whole collection of them in my trunk.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor, Zev Yaroslavsky, gave an illustration on just how many plastic bags are used in Los Angeles County: “If the 6 billion bags used in LA County are tied together, they would reach the moon and back 5 times. Of those bags, only 5% are recycled.”

Several in store promotions also went ahead to commemorate this day. The 99¢ Only Stores throughout Los Angeles County gave a reusable tote to customers who spend at least $49.99. Bed Bath & Beyond stores in Hollywood, Beverly Center, and West LA also gave bags to customers who spent at least $50 between the hours of 11am and 1pm. Ralphs doubled the rebates for costumers who brought reusable shopping bags.

Heal the Bay started this event. According to Communications Director, Matthew King, “We’ve been worrying on the issue of plastic debris in the oceans. We were thinking of creative ways to educate people, to let people know changes they can make in everyday habits,” adding that “we got this idea after Thanksgiving. It has been a success so far, far beyond our dreams.”

The holidays were chosen as a good time for the event due to the large amount of consumption that occurs. Mr. King also mentions, “It’s a gift we can give to the environment. It’s also around New Years. It is a good time for people to make resolutions to be more earth friendly.”

Source: www.canyon-news.com