Look upstream to reduce, then recycle

Recycling is important, but look further upstream to reduce use of natural resources

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Did you know that once a product reaches your hands, 98 percent of the environmental damage is done?

Take, for instance, a single-use plastic grocery bag. Bags are made from natural gas, which has to be extracted, transported to a refinery, processed, transported to a bag-making facility and processed into a bag.

The bags are then boxed up, shipped to a warehouse and then shipped to a grocer or other retailer for use by a shopper.

Each step along the way consumes energy and non-renewable natural resources.

It's important to reuse and recycle those bags once you have them home.

Johnson County residents have multiple options for recycling bags, including the East Side Recycling Center, City Carton Recycling and most grocery stores ...

but it's even more important to significantly reduce the number of bags that are used to reduce the energy and resources that go into making bags upstream.

' Jen Jordan is recycling coordinator for the City of Iowa City. Comments: jennifer-jordan@iowa-city.org

America Recycles Day was Saturday, Nov. 15, and communities throughout the Corridor joined in the festivities. In the Iowa City area, however, community residents need not be limited to a single day. There are activities scheduled throughout the week to help locals get more bang for their recycling buck.

Documentary: Bag It: Is your Life too Plastic?

Tuesday, Nov. 18 (6-8 p.m.)

Iowa City Public Library, Meeting Room A

Americans use 60,000 plastic bags every five minutes that we then throw away. But where is ‘away?' Where do the bags and other plastics end up, and at what cost to our environment, marine life and human health? Follows ‘everyman' Jeb Berrier as he navigates our plastic world. Jeb is not a radical environmentalist, but an average American who decides to take a closer look at our cultural love affair with plastics. 79 min. Information about the film can be found at http://bagitmovie.com/. Co-sponsored by Iowa City Public Library, Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center and 100 Grannies for a Livable Future

BYOB: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

East Side Recycling Center

Wednesday, Nov. 19 (3-5 p.m.)

Stop by to learn about reducing plastic bag use and get a free reusable tote bag! Sponsored by the 100 Grannies for a Livable Future and ECO Iowa City.

BYOB: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Table by recycling bins at East Side Recycling Center

Friday, Nov. 21 (3-5 p.m.)

Stop by to learn about reducing plastic bag use and get a free reusable tote bag! Sponsored by the 100 Grannies for a Livable Future and ECO Iowa City.

For more information on recycling and environmental events, visit www.icgov.org/esrc