Reductions Sought in Use of Shop Bags

AUGUSTA -- A new campaign was launched Monday to encourage Mainers to bring reusable bags to the store when they shop.

The goal of the "Got Your Bags, Maine?" effort is a reduction in the use of paper and plastic bags by 33 percent by 2012. The effort is a collaboration among several groups, including the State Planning Office, Maine Grocers Association, Maine Merchants Association and Natural Resources Council of Maine.

"Mainers use and dispose of more than 700 million shopping bags a year," said Matt Prindiville of Natural Resources Council of Maine. "These bags end up in landfills, on our streets as litter, in our lakes and streams and the bellies of wildlife."

The bags use natural resources such as trees and natural gas when manufactured, he said.

The groups signed a memorandum of understanding that was created after months of meetings. The idea came from a bill sponsored by Rep. Jane Knapp, R-Gorham, a retired biology teacher.

"I've always been an advocate of reduce, reuse and recycle," she said during a State House Hall of Flags news conference.

The group stood in front of a display of reusable bags from grocery stores and from retailers such as The Home Depot, T.J. Maxx and Renys.

Curtis Picard of the Maine Merchants Association said they are hoping people add to the campaign by coming up with other ideas, such as giving holiday gifts in reusable bags instead of decorative paper bags.

In addition to a Web site and educational efforts with retailers and consumers, the campaign will include messages on social media such as Twitter and Facebook, Picard said.

Shelley Doak, executive director of the Maine Grocers Association, said the new campaign adds to steps already taken by many stores, and "broadens the voice that seeks to put at least one reusable bag in every Mainer's hands."

And for those who already have the bags, part of the campaign will be a reminder to bring them to the store.

"As we head out the door and pick up our wallet, keys and cell phone, we also need to grab our reusable bags and pop them in the car," Prindiville said. "Then, they're right there for us when we need them."