According to the City of San José's Environmental Services Department

Facts About Bags weblink :

Californians consume over 600 plastic bags every second.

Less than 4 percent of all plastic bags are recycled.

Plastic breaks down into toxic bits that take centuries to decompose.

14 million trees are used easch year to produce paper bags in the U.S.

It takes 4 times more energy to produce a paper bag versus a plastic bag.

It takes 10 times more energy to recycle paper versus plastic.

Starting January 1, 2012, the City of San José will ban plastic carryout bags at grocery stores, pharmarcies, small and large retailers. The San José Public Library  is offerring an excellent opportunity for families on January in craft workshops to learn on how to be green by decorating a bag to take home and use for shopping at various library branches.

The Alviso Branch Library is having this craft workshop on

Thursday, January 19th at 4pm.

We invite kids, teens, tweens and their families to join in the fun.  All supplies will be provided.