Bags, sacks, and pokes

Do you ever forget to take your reusable grocery bag with you to the store?  Many of us do.  Then you have either those plastic or paper bags in the house - what do you do with yours? 
Here are are a couple things to do with the bags  - please comment and add your ideas.

• use the plastic bags as liners in small wastebaskets.
• recycle them at drop-offs, usually at entrances of bigger chain stores.
• give them to the local food pantry to re-use.
• use the paper bags as wrapping paper.
• use the paper bag on top of a landscape area or in your garden where you don't want weeds to grow.  They will eventually degrade into the soil.

Stuff

Annie Leonard was on Good Morning America Friday morning talking about her research, short videos (see youtube and her website) and book, The Story of Stuff.  When you're cleaning out your closets or cleaned your house, have you ever thought about how your possessions are owning you - you are not owning your possessions?  Thought about how you work all those hours to buy more stuff that doesn't really make you happy?  Observed how much stuff you give away barely used?  Realized you are on that hamster wheel just to buy more stuff?  (Not to mention that the stuff you have is made of toxic materials, making you and your family sick?) If any of these things have crossed your mind, then check out Annie Leonard and The Story of Stuff. 

Rules, policies, and laws... oh my!

The Canary Report  has reported that the CDC  has issued a new indoor air quality policy in all of its offices across the country.  The Canary Report links to the entire 13-page document, but guess what it includes?  The chemicals allowed for "housekeeping," standards for paint and furniture, and fragrances in the workplace!  Fragrances covers room deoderizers,  perfumes,  lotions,  etc.   A very interesting read.  If the CDC is covering these items in their policies what is that saying?  This is great! 

Did you know that these chemical sensitivities are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?  You can read about that on The Canary Report as  well. 

Also in the news, Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families has information about some landmark legislation to decrease toxic chemicals like mercury, formaldehyde and a few others in our environment.  They have a take action section asking the EPA to take a strong stance on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  To read up on the campaign, check here.