Talk to most people about being more environmentally conscious and they’ll be nearly unanimous in expressing a desire to do more. Most will also wonder, though, deep down, “Will it really matter?” After all, it’s a great big world out there—how much difference can one person really make?
Every Little Bit Helps
The Dalai Lama famously said, “Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.”
At Belvedere Exclusive, we believe that simple actions, such as individuals switching from using single-use plastic shopping bags to reusable shopping bags, can have profound ripple effects of their own. Here are a few examples of how some acts are beginning to “add up” to a whole lot more as one person, organization, town, state, or country takes a stand and is joined by another and another . . . and then another.
- The UN News estimates that "as many as 51 trillion microplastic particles—500 times more than stars in our galaxy—litter our seas." Microplastics are pieces of plastic that, instead of biodegrading, break down over time into smaller and smaller particles. In 2015, the United States effectively banned all plastic microbeads in cosmetics and personal care products, dramatically lowering the amount introduced into the environment each year.
- Earlier this year, Maine became the first in the nation to enact a statewide ban on single-use Styrofoam cups and containers in grocery stores, restaurants, cafes, and other eateries. Weeks later, the State of Maine House voted to support a bill banning single-use plastic shopping bags
- In July 2018, Seattle became the largest US city to ban plastic straws. Similarly, in January 2019, Washington DC, enacted a ban on plastic straws in restaurants and other service businesses.
- Organizations responsible for 20% of the plastic packaging produced around the world have launched the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment to investigate ways of reducing plastic waste and pollution. Some 250 organizations are involved—ranging from Unilever, L'Oreal, and H&M Group, to Nestle and Coca-Cola—and they’re all determined to find ways to ensure that 100% of plastic packaging can be easily and safely reused, recycled, or composted.
Do It Yourself
Still not convinced one person can make a difference? Make these five easy changes at home and at work and notice how others around you start to adopt similar practices.
- Do away with throw-away plates, cups, and utensils. Clean up may be easier when you eat from a paper plate or sip your morning coffee out of a Styrofoam cup, but easy isn’t always better. Invest in a re-usable cups, plates, and utensils for your work-time lunches and home-time snacks. And if your workplace doesn’t have adequate facilities where you can do the washing, don’t let that discourage you. Bring your reusable wares home. It takes just minutes to clean them or another day’s use.
- Find an alternative to disposable straws. If straws are a must, why not ditch the plastic and go with a set of re-usable stainless-steel straws? You’ll find all sorts to choose from online, and most are dishwasher safe and come with their own cleaning brushes. You’ll not only cut down on plastics in the environment, but also limit the dangers of exposing marine animals to plastic straws.
- Make more out of your household food waste. Composting at home is a great way to reduce the impact of household waste on local landfills. Studies show that more than half of the food waste we typically throw away could be composted. While composting is great for developing nutrient-rich plant food for gardeners, even if you don’t garden you can always donate it to a friend or family member who does—or make it available on Craig’s List!
- Find fashions and other goods at thrift/second-hand stores. Thrift shopping for clothing, household goods, and other items at second-hand stores, consignment shops, and garage sales not only saves you money, but it can have a huge impact on the amount of waste deposited in landfills each year. Did you know that Americans throw out between 70 and 80 pounds of clothes a year? Much of that waste would be eliminated if those clothes were instead donated to thrift stores for resale (and that’s not even taking into account the reduction in packaging). Plus, who doesn’t like a good bargain? Thrift-shopping is fun.
- Shop with Reusable bags. Made from recycled and sustainable materials, reusable shopping bags like those made by Belvedere Exclusive perform the same function as single-use plastic bags, but they don’t end up clogging landfills or marine environments. The average person in the U.S. uses between 350 and 500 single use plastic bags every year. Multiply that number by 300 million and it’s easy to see how, if each one of us were to switch to re-usable bags, we could make a huge difference!
Start Making a Difference Now
Reusable shopping bags are good for the environment and they help you send a message to friends, family members, and even complete strangers that you care about the environment and your impact on it.
For retailers, reusable shopping bags not only boost brand awareness, they help you make a lasting green impression on your patrons and everyone they encounter.
Get a Quote
We invite you to get a no-strings attached quote on Belvedere Exclusive bags, which are already in use with many high-profile brands around the country.
- Belvedere’s VALUE Collection—Belvedere offers the lowest cost FOB USA non-woven shopping bags on the market: 100-gram PP non-woven, PP-5 recyclable, fully customized in six different sizes to fully meet your business needs. Our flexible program offers discounts over multiple ship dates, and bags are available in both screen printed and full color all for under $1.00 per bag! Learn More
- Belvedere’s ECO Collection—Made from recycled products, these 100-gram Recycled PET non-woven, PETE-1 recyclable bags are fully customizable and come in three different sizes. They’re available in as low as 10 carton increments with three different printing methods depending on art. This is our premium product designed to help you make your eco-statement! Learn More