Going Green

These days it seems as though most people are at least trying to take into consideration the environment and the effect we are having on it.  I think most if not all towns have trash bins and recycle bins also where you put your empty, used plastic bottles, newspapers, cardboard boxes, cans, etc.  When I walk out to my garage to place a recyclable in my container I feel as though I'm doing my part, a very small part but it's something nonetheless.  I also don't roll down my window and throw out trash as I am driving down the road which is what I have seen countless times and it still seems to amaze me.  Where do these people think this trash goes?  Does the trash fairy come out at night while we are all sleeping and clean up the cigarette butts, big gulp cups, cheeseburger wrappers and loser scratch tickets?

One city has taken the next step to do their part in helping the environment.  Austin, Texas has passed a ban on all disposable plastic bags.  By March of 2013 it will be against the law for retailers in Austin to offer disposable plastic bags.  Customers will have to either bring their own or use cloth bags or whatever other bags they want.  Austin City Hall has also allotted between $1.5-$2 million to educate people on the plastic bag ban.  Half of these monies will supposedly go to providing reusable grocery bags in low income areas.

How many times have you seen a plastic bag blowing wildly around the highway only to end up on either your windshield, your grill or even better tangled under your car forcing you to get under the car and dislodge it when you have reached your destination.  Not my idea of a good time.  Seeing a plastic bag floating towards my car puts me into a panic.  Not a take my hands off the wheel and cover my eyes panic but one that might add more stress to my day and just really tick me off!

I think more cities should follow Austins lead, I'm sure there are plenty more that already have.  Not only would this ban rid us of flying bags but the retailers that have to purchase them for their customers would be alleviated of this cost.  Then again, customers would have to remember to bring their own bags when going shopping.  I'm lucky if I can remember what to get when I go to the store, or remember to go to the store at all, never mind bring my own bags.  I guess I will have to pay more attention for the sake of the environment and future generations to come.