Plastic or Planet? (04-02-08)
Concerned members of the Adams State College community formed a group, Environmental Action for Resources, Transportation and Health (EARTH). The group's purpose is to explore ways to make the campus environment more sustainable or "greener." In that effort, EARTH is teaming up with ASC Community Partnerships to release a reusable shopping bag during EARTH Week, April 14 through April 19. The canvas shopping bags are made with 100 percent biodegradable cotton, and will feature the Adams State College logo and the EARTH logo. While using the bags is a great way to eliminate the waste associated with excess plastic shopping bags, it is now also a way for members of the community to give back. Each time one of the bags is used, it is scanned and a donation is given back to ASC Community Partnerships and EARTH operations. While the bags can be used in any store, City Market and Safeway of Alamosa are offering the donation.
Each year more than 100 billion plastic bags are used in the US, and less than one percent are recycled. Plastic bags that end up in landfills can take up to 100 years to break down, and in that time release toxins into the environment. Each reusable grocery bag will eliminate the waste of thousands of plastic bags over its lifetime, and is 100 percent biodegradable.
The reusable grocery bags will be offered at every event held during EARTH Week and are just $5 each. They will also be available through ASC Community Partnerships; contact 719-587-8209 for more information or to order a bag.
