Local program looks to phase out single-use plastic sacks
There’s a quiet revolution occurring in our quickly growing Bozeman community. The sound is quieter than the rustle and whoosh of a bag blowing in a tree. Can you hear it?
It’s happening at Heebs, Great Rocky Mountain Toy Company, Joe’s Parkway, Bridger Animal Nutrition, and soon Rosauers for a three-month trial beginning in February.
The program is not only reducing single-use bags, but is also raising funds for community and sustainability building efforts – $500 for the Warming Center in 6 months and $250 for the Learning Garden at Story Mill Park last quarter, to name a few.
BYO Bag for Change program allows customers with reusable bags to receive a .05¢ or .10¢ bag refund which they can then donate at the register to help fund community gardens, public recycling bins, solar panels, and much more.
Even dedicated BYO Baggers don’t consider that they’re being charged for all of the supposed ‘free’ bags stores pass out. The cost of the bags, plus the shipping, handling and labor to unpack trucks, boxes and stock stands is all factored into the cost of the groceries and goods you buy! The cost to taxpayers in plastic bag cleanups from drains and waterways, plus the long-term costs of micro plastics that will persist for eons through the food chain are often not even considered.
BYO Bag for Change can revolutionize our town, and help us build a better Bozeman, not just a bigger one, if enough folks who care about the legacy we are leaving for future generations step up and ask every store in Bozeman that cares to get involved in this vision for improving the stewardship of our last best place.
Can using one less bag and donating your .05¢ or .10¢ refund really make a difference? It already is, but will even more if people use their power of the voice and pocketbook.
You can help by asking the managers everywhere you shop to join! BYO Bag for Change is a program of Valley of the Flowers Project. Further details can be found at www.valleyoftheflowersproject.org. Contact Wren Kilian for volunteer information and additional questions at valleyoftheflowersproject@gmail.com. •