Students give away reusable bags
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By STEPHANIE M. PETERS STAFF WRITER - Published: April 30, 2010
Lured by colorful fabrics and the word "free," a steady stream of Price Chopper customers stopped as they headed into the store Thursday to pick up a reusable shopping bag.
In less than half an hour, the entire 50-bag supply Rutland High School senior Whitney Pratt brought with her was gone.
"People are responsive," said Pratt, a member of the school's Environmentally Active & Conscious Club. "I think you see more people with reusable bags this year."
The bags Pratt distributed are part of the high school club's and Sustainable Rutland's joint "Bag the Bag" campaign, which encourages the community to think reusable rather than plastic when they head to the store. All of the bags were sewn, using donated fabric and neckties, by students in the high school club over the course of two "sew-ins" held in recent months.
Thursday marked the groups' second bag giveaway in as many years. Last year, the event coincided with Earth Day; this year, it falls in between Earth Day and Green Up Day, which is Saturday.
Pratt tried to capitalize on the message of both days.
"Free bag? Why are you giving out free bags?" one shopper asked.
"Because of Earth Day, and trying to reduce the use of plastic bags," Pratt said.
After some initial hesitation, most shoppers happily took the decorative bags, thanking Pratt and her helpers, Rutland High School science teacher Jody Sabataso, his 5-year-old daughter, Emilia, and Sustainable Rutland's Jim Sabataso, for the gift.
"I think it's awesome. I'll use it," said Lynn Notte of Rutland. "We don't get many free things these days."
Another shopper, Janice Bendig of Center Rutland, said she only recently made the switch to reusable bags.
"I just started seeing some bags blowing about in parking lots and roads," she said.
The high school's Environmentally Active & Conscious Club, which was started last year by two students, has about 15 consistent members and up to 60 students total who have helped sew the bags for the giveaway. Only Pratt, however, could make it to Thursday's midday event.
Continuing their environmentally conscious theme, several of the high school's science classes will head outside today to pick up trash in celebration of Green Up Day, according to Jody Sabataso.
stephanie.peters@rutlandherald.com
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