Council to Decide on Plastic Bags for Big Island

[bodysurf]

most reusable bags i've seen and have are made from recycled plastic......

[Bob Orts]

quote:

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Originally posted by Kapohocat
So far except for the hemp bags, and the reusable bags my mom or aunties sew for us from cotton, the bags I see for purchase are made with plastic of some sort.

Any thoughts?

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Now, now, now... You're not playing by the rules.....

You're not supposed to look behind the closed doors and ask what's that stink behind it? Regardless of any other facts, if you raise any other question, you must be a turtle hater.

[aprild]

Bob,

I think you're being unfair. Everyone's input is what makes a result that is reasonable and effective possible. We have to bring up the facts in order to figure it out. I think people DO want to know what works and what doesn't.

I think that a big push for canvas or hemp bags would be the best idea. People must be educated about the issues. It is so easy to overlook important facts--that's why two heads are better than one.

James,

I don't read long posts either. Sorry for that one. Most of it consisted of quotes from Charles Moore and links to his papers.

I think Moore has been the most instrumental guy in educating the public about the deplorable state of the oceans re: plastic trash. He is a sailor and saw this stuff for himself. Most of us don't sail around the world.

I think that a public discourse is extremely important to inform ourselves about the issue. Then we can suggest and work for a viable solution.


april

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Orts....Now, now, now... You're not playing by the rules.....

You're not supposed to look behind the closed doors and ask what's that stink behind it? Regardless of any other facts, if you raise any other question, you must be a turtle hater.

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[]You got it Bob. My question was regarding exchanging one thing for the other isnt neccessarily a good alternative. It may be slightly better on a small scale but not good on the larger scale.

Now if you get a reusable cotton bag as example from a maker here on the Big Island who uses Cotton or other organic fabrics grown locally then you are making a better exchange. Or lobby for hemp to be grown legally on the Big Island so that it can be used. If weed grows so well....

Since... China is the world's greatest exporter of hemp textiles, but they are produced in Canada and throughout Europe, South America,Asia, and the Middle East (1).... So the plastic decrease, you may lose in the larger scale of a carbon footprint purchasing bags made of hemp not grown locally...or recycled plastic.. from places like Home Depot. And do these companies contribute the issues of fair trade wages in other counties?

As for recycled PET bottles, they also are processed with antimony, a carcinogen that may end up in the wastewater system.

I am under no delusion that there is a simple answer here to the plastic bags.

I think that instead of just jumping on the band wagon, we all need to realize that there are a myriad of issues that affect each and every decision we make when trying to better our world.


1 Natural Home magazine July/August 2008 issue Fabrics for Living/ The ins and Outs of Organic Textiles by Jessica Kellner

PS Somehow I know Dr J is going to give us a good source for the reusable bags from locally grown fabric he gets from an auntie on the Big Island!![]

[james weatherford]

we get plenty bags ...

almost all of 'em 2nd-hand, Auntie Sally's

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BTW: gallon plastic milk jugs are typical feedstock for recycled plastic that makes a lot of bags now on the market

James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park

[bodysurf]

it'd probably be better to buy a bag from a local supplier if you can ...locally spent dollars do go through the local economy more times than spending a dollar at wal mart anyways....but ..isn't it still a good idea to try and close the plastic circle by reusing/recycling plastic as much as can? it does suck that almost all plastic/recycled reusable bags are made in china with it's attendant human rights and environmental issues as well...
hemp for victory....

[Kapohocat]

While we lobby for a bag ban maybe we can also lobby for allowing hemp to be grown? []

[Guest]

Maui is now considering a ban also.

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blog
Don't shoot the messenger!

[Kapohocat]

quote:

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Originally posted by Carey...

Places like Cost-you-less save the packing boxes for people to use to pack out their purchases, seems to work out (& it makes sence to reuse those rather than junk them (you would not BELIEVE the packaging some produce comes in.... & is trashed at most locations!

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And then you can put the cardboard in the bottom of the compost pile!

[JayJay]

Net bags made from some organically produced local fibre would work well for most items. Let's say coconut or hemp. First make small diameter rope which could have many uses and create employment, then have a separate industry which produces the bags of various sizes.

JayJay