This month, Great Lakes Great Responsibility is rallying local businesses to embrace a pledge for No Bag November! By reducing plastic bag use, participating stores are helping keep plastic out of our Great Lakes, supporting cleaner water and a sustainable future.
Holidays = More Plastic Consumption
During the holiday season plastic consumption spikes with Americans generating 25% more waste than at any other time of the year. Each year, an estimated 22 million pounds of plastic, including bags, pollute the Great Lakes. Over 85% of trash collected during Great Lakes beach cleanups is plastic.
Opt Out of Being on Plastic Bag Autopilot
During the month of November, we are asking local businesses to help reduce unnecessary plastic waste by not giving out single-use bags by default. Instead, customers can request a bag only if needed. This simple change will contribute to keeping plastic out of our Great Lakes, while raising awareness about plastic pollution.
We want to make it easy for you to participate! The only thing your staff would need to do differently is hand out bags only upon customer request. GLGR will provide an informational poster (with a stand) for you to display at your register, letting customers know your business has taken the pledge.
Ok, We're In! What's Next?
Take the pledge by registering here. If you're in northeast Michigan, we'll drop off some posters and stands for you to display during the month of November. If you're somewhere else in the Great Lakes watershed, we will send you the links to print display materials before November begins!
Participating businesses will be featured in special spotlights on Great Lakes Great Responsibility's social media channels, presenting your business to our 42k Instagram and 2k Facebook followers. We want you to get the recognition you deserve for taking the pledge.
