Support recycled products!
We at Lapa Rios have noticed a tremendous problem in the Osa Peninsula: an overabundance of plastic grocery bags strewn across the streets and natural areas (including beaches, forests and mangroves) surrounding Puerto Jimenez. Fortunately, we are not alone. And on August 27-31, we at Lapa Rios, in conjunction with Women of the Osa, ASCONA (Asociacion Costarricense para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza), and others, supported a very interesting project organized by the Osa Sea Turtle Conservation Program called Tejiendo por la Naturaleza (Weaving for Nature).
Over the years, this small organization has found that one of the main causes of mortality for the sea turtle population in Costa Rica (and worldwide) are plastic grocery bags given out at supermarkets and convenient stores. Sea turtles, they found, often mistake these bags (which unfortunately end up in our oceans) for jellyfish and wind up suffocating as they try to consume them. These plastic bags are often impossible to recycle (especially for us here on the Osa Peninsula), puting us in a pretty difficult situation.
Fortunately, the Osa Sea Turtle Conservation Program came upon an excellent idea: by cutting these plastic bags (which are usually made of different types of colors and patterns) into long strips, they become so easy to manipulate that they can actually be knit into newer, more attractive handbags and purses. We love this project: it creates something of value out of used plastic grocery bags, saves sea turtles, cleans up the environment and creates micro business opportunities for women who otherwise would be unemployed...all at the same time. As a result, we sponsored a workshop that taught 14 local women of the Osa Peninsula how to create these incredible bags (some of whom are the wives of Lapa Rios employees!). They are currently being sold all over the country and internationally as well. Come check them out at our store and support our cause!
1 Comments:
Greeting to all at Lapa Rios Ecolodge.
It was with interest that I read your article having just posted the following article a few days ago.
"Plastic Carrier Bags the Great Debate.
The rising tide of disapproval that has developed over the past couple of years toward the polythene carrier bag is now reaching fever pitch in the UK. With whole towns banning them or at least introducing a charge intended to encourage everyone to reuse bags or purchase the ubiquitous, “bag for life”. Research took me to the very informative site, reusablebags.com where you cannot help but be staggered at our annual consumption of plastic bags displayed on the counter on their header.
No right thinking person can possibly dispute the arguments put forward that they are, at best, simply ending up in land fill sites, or at worst blowing around in the wind littering up the country and polluting the seas?
But what is the alternative for those of us that would like to do the right thing?
Being an independent retailer with an online store we are actively seeking an alternative though thus far there seems to be a compromise to be made which ever way you jump.
It is my understanding that paper bags and carriers are not the answer that they might appear to be. Because whilst you can be reassured that the trees used are taken from sustainable sources, the pulping and paper making processes involve the use of chemicals that ultimately pollute.
Another solution offered is that of Jute. These make very robust reusable bags and many local companies have opted for these having their logo printed on them as they might have done with their old plastic bags. Again the sustainable argument is put forward along with the added reassurance of being able to by, “Fair Trade” products, so that you can also feel confident that there has been no exploitation in the production process. The concern here is that as most Jute production is on the India sub continent, importing into the UK has an inevitable substantial carbon foot print.
Cotton growing, I am told, could be responsible for as much as 70-80% of the herbicide and pesticide useage in the world, which again can only result in pollution.
The stylish yet practical, large range of hemp bags that we sell can boast no need for such herbicides and pesticides. The cannabis sativa grows exactly as one of the colloquial terms used for its recreational drug cousins describes, “grass”. (See, “What is Hemp”, article posted 13/11/2007) Therefore its growth is far less polluting. Once again though there is the carbon foot print of importation to consider.
Even nylon, “bags for life” are presented as a better alternative just by virtue of its hard wearing properties making it the longest lasting reusable bag, despite the energy used in their production.
All of these alternatives have their merits and will all contribute to the reduction in use of the plastic bags which has to be a good thing, but they are not without their own compromises.
With all the opinions there are on this subject I would have thought that someone would have done a definitive study by now. So that people in our situation can make an informed decision on the best option given their trade and geographical location.
Any advice gratefully received."
It seems you have found a solution that we have not yet considered.
If you can give us more details of where we might buy them. Or even instruction on the making of these bags I would be most grateful.
Once again congratulations on a great solution.
By Keith Lovejoy, At November 17, 2007 7:52 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home