Cloth Bags in Tofino: A Plastic Bag Alternative

Wick Students Offer Plastic-Bag Alternative
Date 2007/6/21 1:00:00 | Topic: Tofino News

Emma Nicolay, a student at Wickaninnish Community School, sews a cloth bag as part of an effort to reduce the use of plastic bags. (Kimberly Johnston Photo)

By Kimberly Johnston

Jamie Hansen’s Grade 6 class is practising sustainability – one cloth bag at a time.
Each of her 24 Wickaninnish Community School students is sewing three cloth bags as part of a grassroots program to reduce the use of plastic bags in town.
“We went to a sustainability camp at the [Tofino] Botanical Gardens and plastic bags were a huge discussion,” said Hansen. “They were shocked to learn how much plastic affects wildlife.
“Turtles eat the bags because they mistake them for jelly fish. Birds eat the plastic and their stomachs stay full so they starve to death.”
The students returned from the camp with a lot of knowledge about the environment, as well as thoughts and ideas about how to make their community a better place.
“During the camp one of our students, Emma Nicolay, asked either the mayor or Coun. Al Anderson, ‘how can we stop using so much plastic?’”
Hansen said Anderson responded by saying the town is heading in the direction of not using plastic bags as much anymore.
After the camp, Hansen decided to be proactive. She brought in two sewing machines from home for the kids to use.
“They are really excited about making the bags and have been respectful with the machines. It’s great, they’ll ask, ‘when is it my turn to go?’”
Maris LeGallais, a student in Hansen’s class, said she is a firm believer in sustainability. “Plastic bags are bad for the environment,” she said. “They make animals endangered, like turtles, and they are bad for the earth because they do not dissolve.
“I don’t use plastic bags for lunch, and if I go to Beaches [Grocery] I use my own bag. It makes me feel sad when I see bags on the beach because I love turtles. They’re my favorite animals.”
Hansen said she drew the inspiration for her class’ bags from a cloth bag she owns.
It is a simple design: two side pieces, with handles.
“Personally, I like this style best for shopping,” said Hansen.
Environmental awareness is only part of the bag program, she added.
“We are also studying how to be good global citizens in our social studies class, how to be proactive.
“We are going to give the bags away for free. Charging money defeats the purpose.” Hansen said she hopes to have the bags finished by Monday.
The class will then take the 72 bags to the Co-op at 11a.m. June 27.
“We’ll stand in front of the Co-op. I hope the kids will make posters and tell people why we’re doing it.”

Article reprinted from: http://www.westcoaster.ca/modules/AMS/article.php?storyid=2246