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ASHEVILLE GREENWORKS
  • Programs
    • Bee City USA Asheville >
      • Pollinator Garden Certification
      • Native Pollinator Plants and Nurseries
      • Pollination Celebration >
        • Pollinator Photo Contest
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      • Adopt-a-Street
      • Cleanup Supply Stations
      • Clean Streams Day
      • Trash Trout
      • WNC Big Sweep
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We are drowning in plastic.

From beauty products to grocery bags to water bottles to our daily cup of coffee, plastic is present in every aspect of our lives. Most of these items are designed to be used once and thrown away, usually heading to the landfill.

Some of the plastic that we think can be recycled, like drink lids, straws and utensils, end up in the landfill because they're either too difficult to recycle or there's no market for the end products. Even recyclable plastic such as water bottles are becoming harder to recycle.

The most effective approach to reducing our plastic waste is to REFUSE, REDUCE, and REUSE.

In January 2019, GreenWorks spearheaded the creation of the Plastics Reduction Task Force -- a group of motivated volunteers dedicated to reducing single-use plastic in our environment. 
​
Join the plastic-free movement and break free from the plastic ties that bind us.
Donate now for a plastic-free future
Mind Your Plastic May is meant to encourage and challenge us in our journey to live plastic free. These posts are created by GreenWorks staff, Plastic Reduction Task Force volunteers, and other plastic-free advocates in Buncombe County. If you've found these posts helpful and encouraging, please consider making a donation to support this work. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]
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Cleaning Reusable Shopping Bags

5/6/2020

1 Comment

 
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Reusable shopping bags are a win for the environment and the way of the future.  Every time one of these bags is reused less plastic ends up in our landfills and waterways. Reusable bags might be a lot cleaner for the environment, but they still need to be washed. Washing reusable bags is an easy task and protects you and the people who handle your bags. Here are some helpful guidelines to keep your bags clean and ready for use.

Cloth and Canvas Bags
The best and easiest way to clean canvas or cloth bags is in the washing machine. First, shake out the bags to remove bits of food, dirt, and other debris.  Use a hot water cycle and detergent.  You can toss them in with other items, such as towels or linens. After washing, either line-dry the bags or use a gentle cycle dryer.

Plastic Bags
Wash anything made from recycled plastic (a.k.a. polypropylene or PET bags) by hand in warm soapy water, then spray or wipe down inside and out with a recommended disinfectant. Don't forget about the inner and outer seams, where pathogens can accumulate.  Allow the bag to dry completely before storing or using it.

Nylon Bags
Flip the bags inside out.  Wash by hand in warm soapy water or in your machine in a gentle setting to prevent the bag from coming apart. Then, let your bags air dry. Hand washing and air drying your bags will extend their lifetime, thereby decreasing the bags’ ecological impact.

And There’s More! For safe reusable bags follow these guidelines:
  • Use a separate bag for raw products like meat and poultry. Raw foods should be kept away from ready-to-eat foods at all times.
  • Use separate reusable bags for food items and non-food items (e.g., household cleaners, detergents, etc.). This prevents cross-contamination of chemicals and keeps your food safer!
  • Do not store bags in your car or garage.  The warm environment can encourage the growth of bacteria.
  • At this time, there is no evidence to suggest COVID-19 spreads via reusable bags. The CDC still recommends cleaning shopping bags after each use, because other diseases are known to spread more readily on surfaces than COVID-19.

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Terry Scholl is a member of the Asheville GreenWorks Plastic Reduction Task Force. "I love our lands and oceans which unfortunately are being destroyed by throwaway plastics.  I want to do my part to reduce single-use products, especially plastic bottles and grocery bags.  Will you help?​"

1 Comment
Mike Stevenson
5/10/2020 09:43:00 am

I appreciate the information and clear directions. Very readable and concise. Using my own bags requires me to bag my own groceries at the supermarket I use - which makes it easier to bag based on the guidelines presented here. I don't mind that, but it does slow down the line at the register - which encourages me to rush - not a good thing. I must self-discipline!

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    Staff from Asheville GreenWorks, volunteers from the Plastic Reduction Task Force, as well as other guest writers who are advocates and friends.

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​Asheville GreenWorks is a 501(c)3 non-profit environmental organization, governed by a Board of Directors. Established in 1973, GreenWorks mission is to inspire, equip and mobilize individuals and communities to take care of the places we love to live.
  • Programs
    • Bee City USA Asheville >
      • Pollinator Garden Certification
      • Native Pollinator Plants and Nurseries
      • Pollination Celebration >
        • Pollinator Photo Contest
    • Rivers & Roads >
      • Adopt-a-Street
      • Cleanup Supply Stations
      • Clean Streams Day
      • Trash Trout
      • WNC Big Sweep
    • Education
    • Urban Forestry >
      • Cool Green Asheville
      • Adopt-a-Spot
      • Food Tree Project
      • RRI
      • Tree Nursery
      • Treasured Trees >
        • Treasured Trees Calendar
    • Waste Reduction >
      • Asheville Bag Monster
      • Composting Information
      • Flip Your Lid
      • Hard 2 Recycle
      • Plastics Reduction Task Force
      • Recycling Information
      • Smash Don't Trash
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Experiential Internships
    • Youth Environmental Leadership Program >
      • YELP Staff & Alumni
      • How to Apply
    • Make a Donation
    • Wish List
    • Sponsorship
  • Upcoming Events
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Job Openings
    • History
    • Newsletter Archive
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Blog Roll
    • Latest News
    • Protect our Pollinators
    • Voice for the Trees
    • Mind Your Plastic May
    • Fall Leaves