Better Bag

Better Bag is a Benefit Corporation which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Better Bag supplies 100% compostable bags of all shapes and sizes. Better Bags are used as the tool for education on composting.

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Recycling is easy, right? There are blue bins next to your trash can you can just dump mixed paper, plastics and metals in. There are bins on the street and in restaurants where you can place your paper and plastic or glass bottles. There is even another waste can under my desk for recycling printer paper. 

Yes, that is a start, but according to earth911's recycle guide there are almost 60 items that can be recycled that should not necessarily go in a curb-side bin. You can easily get a list of what you can put in your curb-side container by entering your zip code in the directory on the left side of their page. Here is a list of things you may want to look out for in your own municipalities. 

Drink boxes/ milk or juice cartons - I assumed because of the wax coating that these boxes could not be recycled, but as processes advance so do the amount of items taken grows, which is great. Check with your recycler to make sure they can take these items.

#5 plastic - yogurt, butter, cottage cheese and dip containers are made with this pliable plastic but not all recyclers take them. Check your local recycler and the numbers on the bottom of the plastic containers. If your area recycler does not take #5 you can drop them off at a local participating retailer that partners with Stonyfield Organic Yogurt and the Preserve plastic movement to turn these containers into other plastic items, like a tooth brush. 

Plastic Bags - Though plastic chemical companies say that the bags can be recycled, many are not. Some grocery stores will take the bags in drop-off containers located by their doors. Check the Plastic Film Recycling website for registered drop-off locations to ensure these awful bags go somewhere good. 

Recycling needs to be done and many companies see the need as well as the lack in recycling participation, therefore the How2Recycle program was released earlier this year with the partnership and participation of concerned consumer goods companies. This is an awesome initiative (yet kind-of sad it had to happen) to help ease people through the fact that recycling takes some effort. 

If you have seen these labels, please let them know what you think: http://www.how2recycle.info/contact/ or take the label survey on the right side of their page navigation bar.

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For the first time in 40 years, the Ad Council and Keep America Beautiful launched new PSAs. The “I Want To Be Recycled” campaign, created by Pereira & O’Dell, aims to motivate Americans to recycle every day.

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This is beautiful, I can not believe how we have forgotten about recycling and re-using in this one-use, use now kind of world we live in. These products are not one use and not one purpose, the beloved plastic and petroleum will be gone as fast as it came into our lives if we are not careful.  

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Making Your Own Compost Bin: Easy as 1, 2, 3

The U.S. EPA estimates that each American throws away an average of 1.3 pounds of food scraps daily – translating to almost 13 percent of the nation’s municipal solid waste (MSW) stream. www.earth911.com

Moving can be exciting for many different reasons, my new apartment has a patio where we can not only sit in the sun, grill and have friends over but there is room to grow vegetables and to start a compost bin. This has been something that I have wanted to do for a while. It not only helps divert waste out of your trash can and wherever your city takes it, but it naturally turns organic waste into a rich good that can be used for your next year's gardening. I was even more excited when my new roommate complained that there was not a garbage disposal in the sink; well a compost bin is perfect for that too!

Here is what I did: first, my research. I found some simple DIY options that I wanted to base mine off of their instructions.

- Simple and small compost bin from apartmenttherapy.com

- Finding the right option for you: different types of composting bins from www.earth911.com

I would love to get some red worms and try Vermacomposting, which helps down your organic waste faster and in a smaller space that can be kept in a cupboard or closet. 

1. Gathering Materials: I got a 24lb tin garbage can, I wanted to avoid more plastic. The man at the hardware store made fun of me saying, "oh like the cans from back in my day". He thought he was being funny. I also grabbed a small bag of top soil with out any fertilizer or chemicals and picked up some news paper in my way back home. You will also need something to make holes in your bin; a hammer and nail, a drill or box cutter (if using plastic). 

2. Drill or nail holes in your bin of choice. Some on the bottom for drainage and some around the top half or top to your bin in order to breathe. 

3. Layer in a few inches of soil, shredded news print then a few small organic scraps to start breaking down. My roommates and I saves a few scraps for just two days; banana peals, egg shells, avocado skin and lettuce that was about to go bad. 

Here is a list of things that should and shouldn't go in your compost. Main rule: you can compost organic food waste that has not been processed or cooked and no animal bi-products (meat, bones, dairy, fats and oils) or things that already have mold on them (this includes bread for the yeast). 

Have fun composting everyone! 

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The only way to truly have a sustainable life is to teach sustainable living. This one is for the kids. I grew up in a household that recycled and thought about every purchase and every time something was to be done away with. It is important to teach sustainable traits in order to engrain it in the future. Now off of my soap box. Lets celebrate spring and I know everyone is excited to get outside after this winter we have had, especially the children in our lives. Here are some ideas to help get them involved in activities that will help them learn to live a sustainable life. I, personally don’t have children yet, but I had a few ideas and found this simple blog entry about educating kids about sustainability, and I fully agree with their list. 1. Get outside! This means playing in the park to bike riding to going to the weekend farmer's market. Associate fun activities while being outside. This could include sports teams, but you also want to relax and be able to show them how to enjoy the world around as well in any moment. Stop to smell the roses or look at a butterfly even. 2. Make a kids garden because youngsters will love to get the chance to get dirty. I always loved helping my mom garden, finding worms and being able to get bare foot down and dirty on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Growing a small vegetable garden is easy and gives your kids something to look forward to and proud of when they get to harvest. Who knows, maybe they will be inclined to try a new vegetable that they grew themselves. Kidsgardening.org has some great ideas. 3. Give the responsibility to recycle. Older kids that can take on chores can easily be in charge of this every day task. Setting up colorful recycling bins and letting them sort through everything is a great way to promote continuing learning about materials and the cycle of consumer goods. Even if your city/waste pick-up company does not offer a service or you simply do not want to pay for it, you can make a recycling excursion to keep the whole family involved. Find recycling centers near you at recyclingcenters.org. 4. Of course, lead by example. Eat well rounded and healthy meals, be outside and enjoy fresh air just because and learn about how you can help as a family. Happy earth week everyone!

By: Jennifer Root

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The above picture explains how aquaponics works, and our latest post explains why it might be the future for food supply in Pacific Islands, and maybe cities too.

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The future of sustainable city growers.

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Look out Great Lakes, Plastic Islands are Forming.

Written by Jennifer Root - [email protected]

This week I have seen more and more articles about a 'Great Garbage Patch' being visible in the great lakes. This pulls on my heart strings as I grew up in MI and now live in Chicago, as this is the current home of Better Bag. 

This is a huge issue and one of the main reasons Better Bag exists and is fighting to ban plastic. Organizations like 5Gyres are trying fight this problem on a large scale, but honestly it effects us everywhere.

"The massive production of plastic and inadequate disposal has made plastic debris an important and constant pollutant on beaches and in oceans around the world, and the Great Lakes are not an exception," said Lorena M. Rios Mendoza, Ph.D.

You know when you are running on Lake Shore Trail or at your local beach or pond and get grossed out when you see a few plastic cups and bags tangled in some sludge, imagine this happening twice the size of Texas (estimated) in the Pacific Ocean! 

The trouble is that in the Great Lakes, pollution is “24 times” worse than in the South Atlantic. A closed system, of course, accumulates a bigger percentile of materials, faster.

Think of all the large cities around the Great Lakes that depend on it's awesome amount of fresh water to drink and play in. Chicago, Detroit, Toledo, Buffalo, Milwaukee, Green Bay even Toronto rely on the Great Lakes for food and water. We also send all of our run-off to this fresh water; there are not many other outlets the water and garbage can go to once it is in the lakes. 

The swirling “islands” of plastic pollution often go unnoticed because, rather than whole plastic bags and bottles for instance, the mess is made up of small and battered bits of plastic. In the samples Rios' team collected in Lake Erie, 85 percent of the particles were tinier than two-tenths of an inch, and much of that was microscopic. The researchers found between 1,500 and 1.7 million of these particles per square mile.

Plastic debris usually sits just under the surface of the water and can not be scooped up by a simple sifter or net. Fish, birds and other animals eat this, then we do too (more on this later... this is a huge discussion). 

"The massive production of plastic and inadequate disposal has made plastic debris an important and constant pollutant on beaches and in oceans around the world, and the Great Lakes are not an exception," said Rios

Think about everything plastic you use and where it goes. Stay tuned for solutions to this problem from Better Bag! 

More articles about this news item:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/10/great-lakes-garbage-patch_n_3055042.html

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/04/09/now-theres-also-a-great-garbage-patch-in-the-great-lakes

http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/wilderness-resources/stories/a-great-garbage-patch-grows-in-the-great-lakes

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/347654

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About Better Bag and why we are here!

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Better Bag marketing identity. 

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Eco-friendly iPhone Covers

By: Christine Cho [email protected]

In a world where technology continues to dominate society, many of us are constantly concerned about staying up to date with the newest trends. What if these trends could be edgy while also remaining eco-friendly? Well, today is your lucky day. As a relatively new (and extremely satisfied) iPhone 5 user myself, I love accessorising my device with the coolest new cases. Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to find a number of companies that now make new eco-friendly iPhone cases! These phones as listed in Planetsave are made of recycled materials and can be recycled once again after being used! TRTLBOT: This amusingly named company makes what they call “shells” for various Apple devices, such as the iPhone and the iPad, including ones that allow you to slip your ID and credit cards into the back for safe keeping, reducing your need to carry around a wallet when you want to travel light or keep things close to your body. They have several different styles, including the KidSafe, which allows your little ones to mess with your iPhone without worry of cracking it with a drop, or spilling anything on it.

Innovez: All products here are fully biodegradable and made of recycled materials. But they are also really cool looking. There are regular or glider series phone covers available, in a ton of different materials. They are affordable, at $19.95 each. They have cases available for the iPhone 3G/3GS, iPhone 4G/4GS, and the iPhone 5.

True Bamboo: Bamboo is a beloved material for many things, and the iPhone case is no exception. These cases are gorgeous, made of smoothed and polished sustainable bamboo, an entirely biodegradable substance. Plus, it is a well made case that will be sure to last for years, and is solid enough to dampen the force of drops.

Tube: Tires are one of the hardest materials on the environment, and burning them releases a ton of nasty stuff into the air. These cases are really just portions of bike tires that have been reconfigured to make a pocket for your iPhone. They are the perfect size, pliable, and water resistant.

Bioserie: These are extremely cool, as there is no plastic in them despite the way they look and feel. They are made entirely from plants and renewable materials, and even the production is more eco-friendly than other styles. Plus, they are attractive and customizable. Most are priced at just under $35. And don’t miss this list of iphone 5 cases as well!

Miniwiz: This China-based company has quite a few products available in different categories, including various things made from recycled wine bottles. But they also have iPhone cases that are made from other cases, which have been reformed to make new ones. They come with clips, pockets for ID’s and credit cards, and a unique design you won’t find anywhere else.

What better way to set a new trend? Show-off these cool looks and your consciousness for the environment at the same time!

www.betterbag.com 

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Try being meat-free, become a veggie! 

By: Christine Cho [email protected] 

Just this past summer, I decided to make a significant change to my diet and converted to vegetarianism. After continually learning more about the meat industry - the stories on slaughter and processing I found revolting, the amount of emissions produced and fossil fuels consumed from the production and transportation of meat, as well as the basic ethics of animal rights - I decided it was time to give up meat. Now soon approaching my 7-month mark of living a meat-free dietary lifestyle, I’m eager to share the different benefits of being a vegetarian I keep discovering everyday! Here are some health and environmental benefits I found on www.meatlessmonday.com that should help convince you to be meat-free: Health Benefits

LIMIT CANCER RISK: Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Both red and processed meat consumption are associated with colon cancer.

REDUCE HEART DISEASE: Recent data from a Harvard University study found that replacing saturated fat-rich foods (for example, meat and full fat dairy) with foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fat (for example, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds) reduces the risk of heart disease by 19%

FIGHT DIABETES: Research suggests that higher consumption of red and processed meat increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

CURB OBESITY: People on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A recent study from Imperial College London also found that reducing overall meat consumption can prevent long-term weight gain.

LIVE LONGER: Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.

IMPROVE YOUR DIET. Consuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.

Environmental Benefits

REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.

MINIMIZE WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.

HELP REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.

There you have it. A way to really start greening your lifestyle. It may seem tough at first especially for you meat-lovers, but the benefits make it worth it. You really have nothing to lose, except for maybe a few pounds and unhealthy lifestyle choices!

www.betterbag.com

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Green Your Lunch

By: Christine Cho [email protected] 

Packing a lunch in the early hours of the morning can take a lot of motivation, but if you think about how it can reduce your carbon footprint and save you some cash, it’s worth it. Avoid the waste and greenhouse gas emissions involved with eating out and follow these quick, easy tips on how to green your lunch:

Avoid using plastic or paper bags and try reusable lunch boxes. Better yet, try BetterBag’s 100% compostable bags and return organic waste right back into the earth. The EPA says that children who bring a bag lunch to school every day create about 67 pounds of waste by the end of the year! This is a problem.

Use reusable plastic containers. Plastic sandwich bags, saran wrap, and aluminum foil are all sources of pollution that we should avoid.

Use your own reusable water bottle.

Try recycled or all-natural forks, spoons and knives that you can wash and reuse. No need to use traditional steel or plastic utensils for a quick lunch.

Try a reusable cloth napkin rather than grabbing a handful of paper napkins. They’re super convenient and easy to wash!

Pack organic or locally-grown food. Check out your local farmers’ market or the thousands of organic food options out there today.

6 easy steps to green your lunch while saving money and I guess in that way, greening your wallet as well.

www.betterbag.com

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Biking: a morning stimulant for kids

By: Christine Cho

A recent Gristmill article brought our attention to a former Danish study that demonstrates another compelling reason for cities to encourage biking. The study surveying students between the ages of 5 and 19 showed that biking to school helped their overall performance.

It found that kids who cycled or walked to school, rather than traveling by car or public transportation, performed measurably better on tasks demanding concentration, such as solving puzzles, and that the effects lasted for up to four hours after they got to school.

It makes sense: instead of mindless rides to school in the backseat of a car or bus, biking requires focus and activity - a great morning exercise both physically and mentally. On top of that, in the long run carbon emissions are reduced by this eco-friendly alternative to transportation, something that we at BetterBag are always excited to see!

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Breaking News! Plastics may be bad for the environment. 

By: Jennifer Root [email protected]

"(The) BPA-free ... labels are not an indication that the product is risk-free. In the span of a week, three studies pointed out potential health hazards in various plastics."

BPA free may be another "green-washing" marketing ploy that consumers latched onto. According to the article from news.discovery.com, some other chemical alternatives that we used in place of BPA may be just as damaging to your health. Not to mention the waste in our landfills and water systems. In the end the chemicals in all plastic, even ones not made for human consumption, harm you. 

"We are in need of a second plastic revolution," said Rolf Halden, a researcher at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute " "...we see the adverse consequences in widespread environmental pollution and unnecessary human exposure to harmful substances. Smart plastics of the future will be equally versatile but also non-toxic, biodegradable and made from renewable energy sources."

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By: Christine Cho [email protected]

Recycling can be pretty too! These awesome Ptolemy Elrington recycled hubcap works of art demonstrate another creative approach to reusing parts and avoiding roadside waste. He explains:

Hubcaps, for instance. Aesthetic in purpose but ultimately of very little use. They’re automatically rubbish when on the side of the road, but with a little effort and imagination I transform them into something which gives people a great deal more pleasure.

My fish try to say things about our wasteful society and about our prejudices towards value. Hopefully they will encourage people to reconsider before they discard something which apparently has no purpose.

Instead of letting these parts pollute, he creates artwork with environmental value that others can enjoy. Check out his entire HubCap Creature collection at: http://www.hubcapcreatures.com

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By: Christine Cho [email protected]

This UK "Grow Your Own" infographic is a great example of how this backyard gardening lifestyle is becoming more of a commonality in the household routine. As shown, the number of households growing fruits and vegetables in their own gardens is trending upward. On top of that, the number of households with compost bins are increasing as well - what we at BetterBag love to see! It's encouraging to see people becoming more conscious of where their food comes from, where it goes as waste, as well as the resources used in the growing process. Even by starting off small - growing a few vegetables here and there - you can help keep the earth sustainable while providing your family with a healthy food alternative. Plus, nothing tastes better than what you grow with your own two hands!

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Each year, Americans dispose over 140,000,000,000 pounds of packaging. Let’s make that number disappear.

Learn more about the The Disappearing Package Project.  (via unitedbyblue)

How about using a decomposable plastic alternative? Why not start with the oh-so-easy to forget about plastic shopping bag. Learn more at betterbag.com. 

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What a Waste 

By: Jennifer Root 

Up to half of the world's food is wasted, according to a new report that found production inefficiencies in developing countries and market and consumer waste in more advanced societies.

This is a problem, you know when you think you are going to be extra healthy this week and spend your time and money in the fresh produce section of your grocery store to then throw a third of it out the next week. Its frustrating, not only about the time you spent shopping, prepping, and storing the food, but the guilt you feel when you have to pitch it. This impacts land and energy use by the amounts of food farmers are told to produce, it's transportation, the space it takes up in your personal garbage and your waste haulers to the place it ends up: a land fill or processed to other places (the ocean - even worse). 

There are some things you can do to solve this - and reduce extra consumption of other products:

- Start with your shopping habits

Choose products that are not over packages. Those potatoes and onions don't need a plastic bag to cary them home ether. 

Bring your own shopping bag or choose paper and recycle in the right facility. Better yet, push your local retailer to utilize a 100% compostable Better Bag.

Bring your own containers when you buy grains or from the deli. Just ask, Whole Foods values their customers who bring their own containers and bags with a discount. 

- Food storage

Invest in good quality storage containers. Choose glass (double purpose for cooking or re-heating). Pyrex has a good line of products. Preserve manufactures kitchen and storage products from recycled plastic that can be re-recycled through their manufacturing process. Thats awesome!

Can food, ask your grandmother, I learned from the Canning Granny. With a large pot, you can boil-pressure seal your food to store it for a longer time. Veggies bought from the farmers market can be kept in the freezer (some require blanching). 

Pressure seal your salad with a vacuum sealer, lasts up to two weeks. How to from Salad in a Jar.

Know how long you can keep food in the refrigerator or freezer. 

What about your food scraps or food you just have to throw away?

- Compost!

Its easy to build a compost system. If you don't want to dig up your yard (or don't have one) you can easily build a small system to keep on your back deck or even in your kitchen! HGTV has a great description. 

Find your local composter! 

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