WHY USE THESE CLOTH BAGS?

Shows our Care for Creation
 Made by persons with disabilities ~ in Jamestown, NY
 Durable, washable, attractive
 Compact – can fit in your purse
 Cost only $4.00!
How are plastic bags made?
 Polyethylene, a thermoplastic made from oil.
 Petroleum used to make 14 plastic bags is enough to drive car one mile.
 380 billion plastic bags Americans throw away each year = millions of barrels of
oil.
National Geographic, 2003
Are plastic bags recycled?
 Only 1-3 % plastic bags are recycled.
 Costs $4,000 to process one ton.
J. Blumenfeld, Director, San Francisco Dept. of Environment
OVER…
Where do plastic bags end up?
 Developing countries ~ dumping grounds for western world’s garbage.
 Eventually contaminate soil, waterways. Microscopic particles can enter food
chain.
Cnn.com/technology Nov. 16, 2007
 Found floating north of Arctic Circle, as far south as Falkland Islands.
British Antarctic Survey
 Nearly 200 species of sea life die ~ dolphins, whales, seals, turtles.
World Wildlife Fund Report 2005
 Break down over time into smaller, more toxic petro-polymers
When buying inexpensive reusable bags, ASK:
Who makes them?
How are they being made? Where?
Are people or natural resources being exploited?
Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its life
style. Simplicity, moderation and discipline, as well as a spirit of sacrifice, must become a part of
everyday life, lest all suffer the negative consequences of the careless habits of a few.
Pope John Paul II, Peace with God the Creator, Peace with All of Creation, 1990
Contact Sister Sharon Goodremote, FSSJ, Catholic Charities, Diocesan Care for Creation
Committee, 218-1450 ext. 206 s.goodremote@ccwny.org