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Bags, Boxes, and More!

Hey Kids, It's Time To Take Action!

Each American generates more than four and a half pounds of trash a day. Much of the paper that is thrown away could be recycled instead. The companies that make paper want us to recycle more of it—and they're doing their part to help make recycling happen.

With the support of youth leaders from around the country, The Paper Bag Council—a group of companies that make the paper for paper grocery bags—developed a campaign to encourage families to reuse and recycle their paper grocery bags and boxes.

With your help, the Billion Bags Campaign can change the way Americans think about the reuse and recycling of paper grocery bags and other items we use every day.

Think Before You Throw Things Away

A golden rule of waste reduction is to never throw away anything that can be used again. 

If an item can be reused for the same purpose, or for something new, then reuse it!  Paper grocery bags are made from a kind of paper called Kraft,a German word that means "strength."  They can hold up to 20 pounds of groceries, and can be reused many times. Choose to reuse.

Be a Recycling Leader

Today's youth are a driving force in recycling efforts. In many homes, it's the kids who get the family involved in recycling…and who keep it going. You can start a recycling program at home or school. Just learn what items your town recycles, then do your best to recycle them. Remember to keep used paper for recycling separate from contaminants such as plastic wraps and food waste.

Write to your local recycling coordinator, mayor, governor, Congressional representatives—even the President. Let them know what you're doing to clean up the earth, and ask for their help.

Chart your Progress

Use a pencil to draw three squares on the top left corner of each paper grocery bag you get from the grocery store (or find in your house). Every time you reuse one of the bags for groceries, chart your progress by writing a check mark in one of the squares. Once you've reused each bag at least three times, recycle it.