ConservingNow Community Change

Much of the focus of this blog has been about cities around the world. What about a city closer to home - what about closer to your home?

We have created this sample letter for you to send to your local retailers asking that they considered banning plastic bags from their stores or offer consumers credit for bringing their own bags. Retailers listen. We encourage you to cut and paste this letter to your word processor, and then personalize it. Tell your local market or shop what you would like them to do.

When you are finished, forward the letter (or this blog) to your friends. Encourage them to do the same.

Dear _________ [Insert retailer’s name]:

I am a frequent customer of __________ [insert store name] and I am asking, on behalf of myself and your other customers, that you please stop using plastic bags in your stores.

I am writing to ask you to consider supporting a ban on plastic bags throughout your store(s). I am very much committed to helping minimize waste and to make ________________ [insert your town’s name] a cleaner, greener and brighter place.

As you know, there is currently a global need to halt the environmental damage done by plastic bags which take up shrinking landfill space and kill tens of thousands of marine animals. I know the temptation to use plastic bags, especially when they are piled up and used by thousands of consumers without a second thought.

In addition to banning the use of plastic bags in your store(s), many other area retailers are offering their customers incentives to bring their own bags. For example, Ikea, Costco and Whole Foods offer their customers a $.05 or $.10 credit per bag or have introduced a small fee of $.15 cents per plastic bag for customers that do not bring their bags. These companies are letting their customers know that they are committed to the environment and your store(s) could do the same.

This is the simple message I am asking you to send to your consumers. By not stocking plastic bags, or by using environmental friendly alternatives, you are letting your consumers know that as a company, you too, care for the environment. Please urge all your consumers to bring their own bags.

I know that you care as much about the environment as I do. It is an ideal opportunity for your business to increase your profits as well as taking the lead in doing something for the environment. With your support and with the backing of committed consumers like myself, we could see the end of plastic bags here in _________________ [insert your town’s name] in months rather than years.

I very much hope that you will stop using plastic bags in your store and encourage your customers to bring their own bags.

Sincerely,

[Your name, city, state, email and/or phone number]