Dear Editor,
I recently signed the online petition to request that the legislatures of the towns of Pelham and Pelham Manor embracethe use of reusable bags by way of banning the use of plastic bags.
Why? Well, I’ve seen the movie Bag It that cogently and convincingly illustrates the negative impact plastic bags is beginning to have on our environment. And, and I have plenty of reusable bags courtesy of various giveaways and good intentions. But, more often than I’d like to admit (which is most of the time), I walk out of a grocery store carrying plastic bags. I signed the petition in recognition of my default behavior.
I signed because I want to act in an environmentally conscious manner, but I’m lazy. I forget thebags, and then I rationalize that forgetting is ok because I will reuse those plastic bags when I walk my two dogs and line my various trashcans. But I know, deep in my heart and my brain, that I’m faking it. Kind of like my dieting habit. I know what I should be doing, but I find a way not to do it.
Those bags, filled with refuse rather than groceries, still last an amount of time of which I can’t readily conceive. They, and their brethren, wind up in some swirling, thick mass in themiddle of the Pacific. Closer to home, they find their way into landfills, drains, trees and other places, and don’t go away. I put my name down because I need help -- help in taking care of my environment that I too often assume someone else is looking after.
Will life without plastic bags be a hassle? Yes. But, it’s one I’m looking forward to getting used to, just like I got used to sorting my recycling, schlepping it out to the curb, and feeling good that I’m doing it. If anyone else feels they need help too, please consider signing the petition. Go to www. ipetitions.com and search for Pelhams Bag Initiative and you will find it.
Gary Ryan
