Earth Day is in the Bag

A simple project for everyone

 

This year, Earth Day is in the bag – or more accurately, on the bag. As Southern Californians gear up for the 32nd anniversary of Earth Day, thousands will use paper grocery bags as a billboard for promoting reuse, recycling and environmental stewardship.

    The Earth Day Groceries Project is a cost-free environmental awareness project in which students decorate paper grocery bags with Earth Day messages. Managed online by a third grade teacher, the project offers youth a chance to voice their concerns about the environment, and make a difference in their community.

    In 2001, more than half a million students decorated as many Earth Day bags. From Maine to California, and from the United States to Australia, students in classrooms and schools, 4-H councils, Scout troops and environmental clubs, helped spread environmental awareness across the globe. Thanks to the enthusiastic support of participants, and features in Weekly Reader and Science & Children magazine, participation promises to be even greater in 2002.

 
Four simple steps

 

    To participate, just follow these four simple steps:

  • . Borrow Bags:Teachers borrow a supply of paper grocery bags from a local grocer.
  • . Decorate Bags: tudents decorate the bags with environmental pictures and messages about reuse, recycling, forestry or wildlife.
  • . Spread Environmental Awareness: eachers return the decorated bags to the grocery store before Earth Day, April 22. On Earth Day, customers receive their groceries in the decorated bags.
  • . Report Participation: eport your participation on the Earth Day Groceries Project web site: www .earthdaybags.org

 
YOUth can make a difference!

 

    Earth Day is a time for youth and adults alike to pay homage to the Earth and her resources. Help make a difference in your community by participating in the Earth Day Groceries Project. You can visit the Grossmont College Americorp booth at the San Diego Earth Fair and decorate your own Earth Day bag.

 
For more information

    Now in its 9th year, the Earth Day Groceries Project is one of the oldest, largest and most respected educational projects on the Internet. Check out its website, www.earthdaybags.org, for educational activities and reports from participating schools – including hundreds of photos of students working on, delivering and displaying their decorated bags.