Where those plastic bags go

Have you every wondered where plastic bags end up after they're thrown away?  They may land in the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch," where ocean currents between Hawaii and Japan have swept together masses of debris to equal the size of Texas.  Even if you live inland, littered bags, landfilled bags, and those traveling to landfills could end up being blown or washed many miles into the ocean.  This island of floating trash is often called "plastic soup," because 90% of marine litter is plastic, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.  Plastic bags are one of the top 12 items

found in coastal cleanups.  To avoid adding your plastic bag litter to this already huge problem, consider making this the year that you switch to reusable bags.  You'll reduce waste and the harm done to marine life that accidentally ingest the "soup."  Giant Eagle and other local grocery stores have recycle bins on site to collect plastic bags for proper disposal.  You can also go to www.greenamericatoday.org for a list of websites that offer reusable bags.  Remember, as Catholics we believe that the Earth is a gift from God and that we are responsible for its care.