Westwood's "Bring Your Own Bag" Month A Success

May’s “Being Your Own Bag” month in Westwood was a success! The initiative, sponsored by the Westwood Environmental Action Committee (WEAC), had about a hundred lucky shoppers who “got caught holding the bag” and won gift cards. It was part of the Bring Your Own Bag Month campaign by the WEAC, which encouraged residents to forego paper and plastic disposable bags.

Michaels. Wegmans, Lamberts, Target and Roche Brothers onated gift cards to the promotion. Each retailer added their own flair to the promotion, whether it was providing signage, staff help, or free reusable bags.

The WEAC “Street Team” popped up at participating retailers throughout the month to give out gift cards and stickers proclaiming “Went to the store today… remembered to bring my own bag!”
The Libraries and Senior Center also joined the event, giving out hundreds of compact reusable bags. Designer Hania Khuri-Trapper donated her talents for the bag imprint. A card attached to the bags read “If you are taking a bag, we hope you will make the following pledge: On my honor I will try to keep this bag in my purse or pocket, and to use it whenever I’m at the checkout. It will NOT end up in the back of my sock drawer.” The back of the card encourages recipients to “Kick the disposable habit- Join the reuse generation!”

Extra bags and stickers will be made available at future WEAC events.