Week 2

Ways to Care for God’s Creation

Throughout the summer we’re going to give you some suggestions for ways that you can better help to take care of the beautiful world that God gave us.

Week 2 – Use Reusable Bags Instead of Plastic Bags

A simple way to make a big difference for the earth is to start using reusable bags when you go to the store.

Here are some things you may not know about plastic bags

• Twelve million barrels of oil are used to make the plastic bags consumed in the United States each year. A car can go a mile on what it takes to make 7 to 14 plastic bags.
• Plastic bags are hard to recycle and can clog the machinery in recycling centers.
• Of the 100 billion plastic bags Americans use each year, only about 1% are recycled.
• When a plastic bag goes to the landfill it can take 1,000 years to break down.
• Over 100,000 marine animal deaths are caused each year when animals mistake shopping bags in the ocean for food or when they get tangled up and can’t get themselves free.

Reusable bags are often inexpensive and some stores give you a discount when you use them. If you have a habit of forgetting your reusable bag, consider getting one that folds up to fit in your purse – or always keep extras in the trunk of your car. This small effort can save the lives of animals, save valuable oil and make the world more beautiful by reducing litter.