1. Why is Keep Austin Beautiful concerned about reducing disposable bags and promoting the use of reusable bags?

KAB’s core purpose is to provide resources and education to inspire people to make positive environmental choices and take personal action to make a difference. We know that disposable bags can have a negative impact on our environment so we’re asking every Austin citizen to reduce your use of disposable bags in general, eliminate your use of disposable bags when making major purchases like groceries, start using a reusable bag when shopping - at all retailers - and recycle your disposable bags.

2. What are the campaign goals?
   

• To create a cultural shift in Austin towards a much more widespread use of reusable bags
  
• To dramatically increase plastic bag recycling in Austin
  

3. How many reusable bags do I need for grocery shopping?
   

It will take practice to determine how many reusable bags you may need for your typical grocery shopping experience. Keep Austin Beautiful recommends counting how many bags you typically use and then estimate that the average sized reusable bag can contain about the same amount of items that a paper bag can contain but about 2 times as many items as the typical plastic bag. The number of bags you will need will be very depending on the types of items you purchase and how many items you purchase at a time.

4. Can Keep Austin Beautiful offer tips for carrying groceries home for handicap people, for large families, for people who ride bikes or take the bus?

There are many different styles and sizes of reusable bags available. There are reusable messenger bags for those on foot, bike or who rely on public transportation. There are also reusable backpacks, smaller insulated lunch bags, gift bags, coin purses, hand bags, lumber packs and many other choices. For large families and handicap citizens there are large market totes that can fit several regular plastic bags worth of groceries for easy transportation.

5. What are reusable bags made of?

Reusable bags are generally made of cotton, plastic, canvas or cloth, and can be made of recycled materials.

6. Where can I recycle my reusable bags if they break or tear?

If your bag is made of plastic, it can be recycled in the plastic bag recycling bins along with the disposable plastic bags.

If your bag is made of cotton or canvas, it can be re-used around the house or office as a rag.

7. How does the Whole Foods Market rebate program work?

Shoppers who bring their own bags to use at the checkouts at Whole Foods will receive a ten cents per bag refund. Shoppers can opt to donate their ten-cent-per-bag refunds directly to Keep Austin Beautiful. Additionally, Whole Foods Market will match donations from bag refunds and all money collected will go to helping fund Keep Austin Beautiful's awareness campaign about reducing disposable bag use.

8. How will my using that bag make a difference?

Reusable bags can carry more items than plastic or paper check-out bags, so shoppers use less. In fact, each high quality reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1,000 plastic bags over its lifetime. Reusable bags are sturdy and designed to be reused repeatedly over many years. At the end of their lives, they can be recycled. Reusable bags reduce consumption (and therefore environmental impacts) of single use bags and encourage customers to be more ‘waste-wise’ in their daily lives.

9. How are people remembering to use their reusable bags – any tips for changing a habit?

Keep Austin Beautiful recommends storing your reusable bags in your car if you drive to the grocery store.  Place a reminder sticker on your car rearview mirror - KAB will be distributing reminder stickers soon.

10. Can I use a bag from one retailer at another retailer’s place of business?

Yes, you can use any reusable bag at any retail outlet.