joe b.
Florida
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Joined: 08/24/2002
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We noticed this summer that of all the states and provinces where we traveled, the Yukon Territory seems to be doing more to "go green" than anywhere else.
When we stopped at Super Foods, what a nice supermarket, to buy groceries in Whitehorse, they would only let us have 5 of the small plastic grocery bags. And they were $.25cad each. The cashier, nicely said that was all any customer could buy. After that it was up to the customer to get the groceries to their car. Also noticed that we couldn't find larger, 3 or 4 liter plastic jugs of drinking water, just the smaller ones.
The Super Foods experience really got me to thinking about all the plastic bags I get here in Florida and then throw in the trash. Groceries bags seem to be every where, in the ocean, on the beach, hung up on fences, etc. What a source of litter.
So when I got to Anchorage I bought a half dozen of the reusable fiber grocery bags from Fred Meyer. Think they were about $.50usd a bag. Hauled my groceries home from Wal Mart yesterday in my Fred Meyer bags. The Whitehorse liquor store put my supplies in paper bags as did a couple of other places.
I don't know if the anti-plastic bag is a YT, a Whitehorse or just a Super Foods thing, but I sure like it.
joe b.
South Florida, Stuart
Formerly of Colorado and Alaska
Driving a Dodge/Cummins/Lance
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SidKaye
Mt Dora Florida, Montreal QC for the Summer
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Joined: 09/03/2003
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Here in Quebec in the Montreal area nearly all the supermarkets have stopped giving bags FREE. They are encouraging the use of re-usable bags. There are posters on the poles in many of their parking lots reminding you to bring your bag. If you don't have one, they ask if you need a plastic bag and some charge .05 cents per bag. Virtually every store has machines/devices that one returns deposit cans and bottles into. The device generates a receipt which is redeemed for cash. IMO, a great system.
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Joined: 08/05/2004
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It's also a B.C. thing. Local grocery store no longer provides plastic bags, but will provide paper. And they refund money if you bring your re-usable bags.
Other stores give discounts for using the re-usable bags but continue to provide plastic bags if you pay a fee. I think Facebook has a anti-plastic bag page too.
We've switched to using biodegradable bags for picking up the doggy doo-doo. Just couldn't stand the thought of all those plastic bags in a hundred years, laying like pancakes with some undescribable brown goo in them.
I had posted some months ago that many municipalities are moving away from the plastic water bottles too. There's numerous media campaigns creating awareness that our tap water is as good as any bottled water. It is interesting that we're willing to pay more for water than we pay for fuel for our vehicles.
I also like that most B.C. provincial park campgrounds encourage recycling by having recycling bins right next to the garbage cans.
And in my area, if you put recyclable items into your garbage, the garbage man just might not take it. No paper or cardstock, no cardboard, no tin, no plastic, no glass, etc. Sure cuts down on the garbage!
sue t.
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johnna
Southwest, Utah
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Sometimes I think the cure is worse than the sickness. While watching the customer ahead of me at the supermarket select paper bags instead of plastic, it brought to mind that the chemicals used to make paper probably negates the good perceived in not using plastic. Reusable bags or boxes are the only true way to go green.
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explorenorth
Whitehorse, Yukon
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Joined: 02/21/2004
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The anti-plastic bag program is a Yukon-wide initiative. Some stores won't give or sell you any bags anymore - you bring you own or shop elsewhere. I used to use the plastic grocery bags for dog-yard cleanup - soon I'll have to buy them specially for that purpose.
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hokeypokey
xxx
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Joined: 05/14/2009
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Paper or Plastic ? (they ask) Why not Paper or Box ? Back in our early marriage days, the sacker put our groceries in empty paper grocery boxes. I liked it and I can always use boxes. Now when I need a box, I have to stop at the liquor store or go to the back room of the grocery store and bother someone to find me some. We see the good paper boxes knocked down and tied up in bales for the recycling center. Some could be recycled, of course, but some could be re-used as boxes. Grocery Managers, are you listening ?
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sue.t
Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
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Murray, a local non-profit (Vancouver Island) that assists with dog rescue sells the biodegradable doggy doo bags online for a reasonable price. I can send you the link, or post it, if you are interested.
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explorenorth
Whitehorse, Yukon
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Joined: 02/21/2004
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sue.t wrote:Murray, a local non-profit (Vancouver Island) that assists with dog rescue sells the biodegradable doggy doo bags online for a reasonable price. I can send you the link, or post it, if you are interested.
Yes, Sue, I am interested - especially when it helps a rescue organization. Thanks!
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explorenorth
Whitehorse, Yukon
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Joined: 02/21/2004
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hokeypokey wrote:Paper or Plastic ? (they ask) Why not Paper or Box?
In the Yukon, boxes are reserved for folks from camps and communities outside town - city-folk get bags only.
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