Read a description of the goals and methods of the Better Bag Project and how you can get involved.

A brief explanation of the problems with plastic shopping bags is found in our flyer (click here).

Click here to read a PDF report on the use of shopping bags in Springfield. (For the Word version, click here.)

 Click here to read a PDF report on the financial, economic and ecologic impact of shopping bags in Springfield.

Pledge: Help with the problem and take the pledge to try to remember to use reusable bags. Children can take the "double" pledge.

Retailers in Springfield easily spend more than $5,000 weekly on the bags they distribute. Click here for an estimate of what these "free" plastic shopping bags cost Springfield retailers each week. Retailers can help reduce the problems created by plastic shopping bags simply by changing policies to be more "reusable-bag" friendly. Click here for details on options for retailers.

Businesses, organizations, religious groups, clubs, etc. can participate in reducing the use of plastic shopping bags in Springfield by

a) hosting our presentations to their staff and members (click here for an example of a recent presentation given to the Springfield Junior League).

b) taking the Leadership Initiative.

For more information, contact Joan Barenfanger at barenfanger.joan@gmail.com or 217.787.9405.