Mission 1: Reusable Bags

The world's pervasive use of plastic shopping bags have a detrimental effect on the environment.

• They are an unnecessary drain on the world's resources (we use about 4.3 billion gallons of oil each year producing 1 trillion bags).
• About 8 billion pounds of plastic material goes into our waste system each year.
  
• Plastic bags do not biodegrade, but instead photo-degrade, which releases harmful toxins into the air, soil, and water we all live with.
• Nothing is free, so while every store gives you free plastic bags, the cost is passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices.

Recycling plastic bags does not help the problem either, because:

• Only 1% of all bags consumed get recycled.
• It is very expensive and difficult to recycle plastic bags.

The ultimate solution to combating this plastic bags problem is to not use plastic bags at all. Instead, use reusable bags.

Mission

Form a group of at least two people.

Equip yourselves with the following:

• 1+ digital camera
• 1+ reusable bag (can be purchased at store)
• Money to purchase goods

Make your way to any store that might normally bag your purchase in a plastic bag.

Locate at least 1 reusable bag stand and take a picture with members of your group posing next to it. (silly poses are optional and highly recommended)

Purchase anything and have the cashier bag your purchase in a reusable bag.

Take a picture of the purchase with all the goods inside the reusable bag.

Take a group picture with everyone holding the reusable bags and their purchases inside.

Inform Oliver or Candice of the successful completion of your mission via email or at the next PTK meeting.