Featured action: Shop with reusable bags

Every week, Canadians take home millions of plastic shopping bags, and plastic is made from oil. Worldwide, we use 500 billion to 1 trillion of them every year. Bags take from 20 to 1,000 years to break down. And when they do degrade, they break into smaller bits that can contaminate water and soil and get eaten by animals, which can be fatal to them. Doing your shopping with reusable bags can prevent hundreds of bags from ending up in landfills each year, while avoiding the greenhouse gas emissions associated with making the bags.

While you’re at it, opt for products with minimal packaging to create even less garbage. Or consider making a donation to your favourite charity as a meaningful, waste-free gift.

Over 27,000 people in the Living Planet Community have committed to shopping with reusable bags. If you’re taking this action, let us know!