That’s what schools in Baristaville, as well as across New Jersey, are being asked as MY ECO School Reuse Challenge kicks off this month. It’s a win-win-win situation according to Kristen Brown, founder of MY ECO products and an EPA Consultant, who has partnered with Kings Supermarkets to bring the challenge to area schools in an effort to raise awareness of environmentally sustainable practices while also raising funds for much needed supplies in schools.
It works a little something like this. Schools promote the sales of MY ECO Shopping Bag System, a reusable four-in-one bag solution to non-biodegradable plastic bags, and receive $5 for every bag sold. But that’s not all. The School will continue to receive points redeemable for school supplies every time the bags are reused at Kings. And the sturdy yet flexible bags, made from recycled yogurt containers, are specifically designed to carry all manner of grocery items. One bag contains fabric bands to hold jars and bottles in place, another is insulated and zips up to keep frozen foods chilled, and another serves as a produce bag with an antibacterial liner that can be wiped clean. All fold up into a slim storage tote.
“This is something that teaches a lesson and kids can be part of,” said Brown.
Kids in Glen Ridge certainly wanted to be a part of it. They made the switch to MY ECO bags back in April when the schools partnered with the ShopRite of Brookdale, and since then 44 schools across New Jersey have signed on including schools in Maplewood and Verona. They know what’s up when it comes to chic and savvy green products: the bags received top “Green Picks” status for 2010 by The Today Show.
This is all good news to the daughter of the man who invented the plastic bag. As ironic as it sounds, Brown is actually picking up where her father left off. More than thirty years ago Brown’s father devised the plastic bag as a more environmentally friendly alternative the paper bag, a product that devastated forests and created air and water pollution. Now, we know plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to decompose, use precious oils and create hazards to marine life, choking thousands of sea turtles each year when they mistake the bags for jellyfish. Plastic bags also comprise part of the one third of packing material that pile up in the nation’s landfills.
With this initiative Brown is continuing the evolution of environmentally conscious practices and hopes to affect permanent, sustainable behavioral change.
“It’s one step everyone can take,” said Brown. And it’s a step she’s encouraging kids to take.
“The way to start is with young kids,” Brown asserted. While Brown has worked with governments and corporations for 20 years in establishing cost effective, environmentally sound practices, she has found it especially difficult to impact the average individual adult’s behavior. This is clearly true in the case of non-disposable bags. They have less than a 6% reuse rate.
That’s why Brown has chosen to focus her efforts on the next generation. “They can start the change all by themselves.”
Well, you can help too. You can organize a fundraiser at your school or support participating schools by buying a bag at Getmyeco.com or at Kings starting in November and registering the school you wish to support.
