As of January 1, 2012, San José shops and stores are no longer offering plastic bags for your purchases. You may purchase a paper bag if needed, but the point is to reduce using these resources and do something more sustainable and green. Did you know:

• Plastic bags are made from non-renewable petroleum reserves
• Only 1-3% of plastic bags end up getting recycled
• It costs $4000 to process and recycle 1 ton of plastic bags, which can then be sold on the commodities market for $32
• Many bags collected for recycling never get recycled. Many are shipped off to countries with less stringent environmental laws who then incinerate them, causing more pollution.

This month, many San José Public Library branches are offering workshops to decorate your own cloth tote bag. Brightly colored bags will be provided (one per person) and we will supply fabric paints and markers so you can decorate and personalize your tote bag. If you can’t make it to one of our workshops, you can make your own reusable tote bag at home. Here are a few books you can find at your local branch that will help you make creative and green options to purchasing bags in the stores.

Remember to keep your tote bags with you whenever you go out shopping. Stow them in the trunk of your car or get thin nylon ones that will fold up and fit in your pocket or purse.

If you shop in the City of San Jose, beginning January 1, 2012 (that's about 4 months away) there will no longer be disposable plastic bags for your merchandise.  That means you will need to bring your own bags to put your groceries or other purchases in. 

Plastic bags are a convenience that just isn't worth the price on the environment.  Did you know that plastic bags are the most commonly found items during creek clean-ups or that Californians use 4 million plastic bags a year?   Plastic bags are considered to be dangerous to over 260 species of wildlife including sea turtles who mistake the bags in the ocean for jellyfish and then try to eat them.  Swapping out plastic bags for reusable ones is a change that everyone can easily make!

What can you do to get ready for the change?

Recycle your plastic grocery bags by turning them into "yarn" that you can then use to crochet a reusable shopping bag. This is recycling/reuse at its finest. I've made a couple of these myself - they are quick to make and they are flexible and strong!  This video shows you how to do it!

Purchase bags at your local store.   They are only a few dollars and if you start now buying one a week, you'll easily have enough for your weekly grocery run before the ordinance goes into effect.

Check out the book bags the library friends sell!  These bags are built for toting books, but they'll carry your canned goods and loaves of bread just as easily.  And you'll be supporting the library as well!

Would you like to learn how to juggle? Would you like to watch a professional juggler as he balances watermelons and raw eggs? Would you like to see him do his tricks while riding a six-foot-high unicycle? Rock Steady Juggling," will present his one-man show "Eco-tainment" for the enjoyment of everyone, from toddlers to grandparents. Prepare to be entertained by music, juggling, plate-spinning and unicycle riding when Doug brings his unique blend of circus entertainment and ecological awareness to Vineland Library. The performance will take place in the library's community room. What better way to spend an hour on a summer afternoon? If you want a sneak preview, check out a video of Doug. And check out some library resources on juggling for more tips and tricks.