Green Trash Bags and Green Aluminum Foil

In I went to the grocery store (Ralph’s) tonight, and out I came with some surprising finds!

Our household (2 adults) goes through a box of trash bags once or twice a year. Luckily we recycle everything we can, and compost our food waste. Tonight I made a rare detour from my usual grocery store (Trader Joe’s) to the Ralph’s next store.

When looking for our next 6 month’s supply of trash bags I saw a ton of options ranging from the indestructible force flex option to the generic store option. And then Hefty Renew Tall Kitchen Bags caught my eye. The trash bags are made from 65% recycled plastic (44% post-consumer; 21% pre-consumer material) packaged in 100% paperboard. While I’d prefer to see an option with a higher % of recycled material, I felt relieved that I even saw an option (hopefully many more will be carried in the future).

Right next to the trash bags was aluminum foil, which I have been out of for several months. I have eliminated using it to line my pans when baking, but have found times where I wish I had the option to cover my goodies once I store them in the fridge, or send some home with friends. The one and only option I found was Reynolds Wrap foil made from 100% recycled aluminum foil, 100% recycled paperboard, and water based printing inks. I was impressed that they dedicated an entire side of the packaging to demonstrate their commitment to the environment….. “you don’t have to sacrifice quality for the well-being of our environment.” Which leads me to the question, “Why aren’t ALL of the Reynolds Wrap products made from 100% aluminum if quality has not been sacrificed?” I’ll keep you posted on how well these stack up to the non-green options.

These name brands were the ONLY recycled options in their respective product categories. I look forward to the day when the shelves are stocked exclusively with environmentally responsible products! I’m happy about progress, but scratch my head when Hefty sells 9 out of 10 product variations made from virgin materials.

Oh, and feel free to apply some friendly pressure on your local, regional and/or national grocery stores to carry more green options! Money talks, and taking the time to make more informed choices will help us all have more green choices!

Many of us hear that it simply is not possible to eat meat and
keep in line with sustainability. However, a new study out of Germany has found quite the contrary. Great read!

Check it out here.

I saw an advertisement for this movie and wanted to share it with you all! http://www.noimpactdoc.com

Here’s a quick synopsis:

Colin Beavan decides to completely eliminate his personal impact on the environment for the next year.

It means eating vegetarian, buying only local food, and turning off the refrigerator. It also means no elevators, no television, no cars, busses, or airplanes, no toxic cleaning products, no electricity, no material consumption, and no garbage.

No problem – at least for Colin – but he and his family live in Manhattan. So when his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two-year-old daughter are dragged into the fray, the No Impact Project has an unforeseen impact of its own.

Watch the trailer here: http://www.noimpactdoc.com/trailer.php. Movie opens at Landmark Theaters in San Diego October 2nd!

You can even sign up to live no impact for a week! They’ll put you on a team and guide you through the steps day-by-day. Sign up at www.noimpactproject.org!