Got your bags? $10 off membership!

By Gavon Morris at February 1, 2010 | 12:11 pm | Print

Non-profit, government and business groups joined together to kick off the “Got Your Bags?” campaign — a public education and outreach effort aimed at encouraging Californians to use reusable bags for shopping and bring plastic bags back to the store for recycling. Visitors who bring in 20 bags to The New Children’s Museum, receive $10 off the purchase of a membership for the entire family!

California state law (AB 2449) requires grocery stores and pharmacies with more than 10,000 square feet of retail space to provide bins for the collection and recycling of plastic shopping bags. Yet research shows that consumer awareness remains low, and shoppers often forget to bring their bags back to the store. The same holds true for reusable bags.

“Our goal with this campaign is to give consumers that extra reminder so they translate good intentions into action,” said Christine Flowers-Ewing, Executive Director of Keep California Beautiful. “We all play an important role as individuals by using reusable bags and increasing the recycling of plastic bags and wraps. California’s residents need to get the message that they can recycle all types of clean plastic film, such as dry cleaning bags, newspaper bags, and wraps covering paper towels, drinks or other retail items. ”

In San Diego, the “Got Your Bags?” campaign is working to bring together a coalition of partners that will help spread the important environmental messages in a number of creative ways. For example, 58 Albertsons stores in the San Diego area are featuring “Got Your Bags?” reminders in the form of decals on their front doors, buttons for employees and select stores are placing stencils at store entrances.

The campaign also includes city and state level agencies working together.

“As a longstanding member of the Keep California Beautiful Board of Directors, the City of San Diego has been part of the team bringing diverse partners together to maximize resources and the effectiveness of the campaign,” said Chris Gonaver, Director of Environmental Services for the City of San Diego.

The American Chemistry Council, which includes the Progressive Bag Affiliates – a group of leading manufacturers and recyclers of plastic bags and plastic resins in the United States — also are participating in the effort.

Members Only got your bags? campaign, keep america beautiful, membership discount