3 months ago
DAMARISCOTTA (NEWS CENTER) -- When you go to the grocery store, do you bring your own bags? A new statewide campaign is hoping to persuade you to try it. "Got Your Bags, Maine" is a joint effort of retailers, grocers, the state Chamber of Commerce and the natural resources Council of Maine. The groups were brought together over the summer by the Maine State Planning Office, following a resolution passed by the Legislature back in the spring. The groups signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday that they will work together to promote more use of reusable bags. The goal -- reduce consumption of plastic and paper bags by 33% by 2013. The groups will be using a website, Facebook and Twitter as major methods to communicate with consumers. They may be able to draw some inspiration from businesses in the town of Damariscotta, where an effort started last year by the Lincoln Academy Climate Action Club has helped increase local use of re-usable bags. The club's president, Chloe Maxim, says the effort has worked. They started with 1,900 bags, and maxim says they have just 150 left. Local business people say the use of reusables is driven by the customers. Says supermarket manager Julie Feltis, "We have a great number of customers who are passionate about their reusable bags." John Reny, President of Reny's Department Stores, says he doesn't expect paper or plastic to disappear any time soon, especially for retail shops and stores. But he says its important to provide customers with the choice, so they decide for themselves whether to use reusables.
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