Target Petition - Ban Plastic Bags!!!!

To: Target, US Congress, US President

We are asking Target to stop buying plastic bags (and paper bags), and offer reusable canvas tote bags and recycle shipping boxes for their customer to carry purchased items. Were Target to stop buying plastic bags not only would they save a massive amount of money, adding a lot to their bottom line, they would show they stand strongly behind their stated ‘commitment to the environment’ as claimed on their website. Not only will the elimination of new plastic bags lower the ongoing overflow landfills, it will reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and reduce the amount of plastic litter in our waterways and oceans. We are aware of Targets cooperative project with TerraCycle to recycle used plastic bags and applaud this first step in the effort while being clear that stopping the use of plastic bags all together is the only real and effective answer to what is a global issue.
PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!
• Global consumption of plastic bags is approximately 5 trillion annually.
• Countries that have banned or taken action to discourage the use of plastic bags include Australia, Bangladesh, Ireland, Italy, South Africa and Taiwan, and Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India.
• Australians were using nearly 7 billion bags a year, and nearly 1.2 billion bags a year were being passed out free in Ireland before government restrictions.
• The environmental group Californians Against Waste estimates Americans use a minimum of 84 billion plastic bags annually.
• 12 million barrels of oil are required to manufacture 100 billion plastic grocery bags.
• The average family accumulates 50 plastic bags in four trips to the grocery store.
• It costs $4,000 to recycle 1 ton of plastic bags.
• Ninety percent of all grocery bags are plastic.
• Plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to degrade.
• Millions of fish, seabirds and mammals die each year because of plastic bags.
• The UN Environment Program says 13,000 pieces of plastic litter are found in every square kilometer of sea, but the problem is worst in five ocean gyres, or spiraling ocean currents, the worst of which is in the North Pacific. The volume of plastic litter means the poisonous soup is being unknowingly vacuumed up by marine life and birds, and much of it is heavy with toxic chemicals As a result, a lot of the toxins is now getting into the human food chain
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Slideshow http://www.treehugger.com/galleries/2009/05/great-pacific-garbage-patch.php?page=1

Please sign and ask Target, and all retailers, to stop buying plastic bags.

Sincerely,

Global warming is real and it's here.

As example of the kind of impacts we can expect in a warming world, the climate of Illinois could resemble the climate of Texas by the end of this century. If you aren't sure why global warming is our top priority, please read this. Moments ago, the White House released a detailed scientific report forecasting devastating impacts of global warming in the United States if we don't take dramatic steps now to cut our global warming emissions. The report, Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States, breaks down climate impacts region-by-region The Northeast: Hartford and Philadelphia could average 30 days of 100+ temperatures per year while Boston could see more than 20 100-degree days per year; Native maple, beech, birch, spruce and fir forests could be almost entirely lost; The climate of New Hampshire could resemble the climate of North Carolina. The Southeast: Much of Florida and southeast Texas could see more than 180 days in the 90s per year while other southeastern states could see more than 100 90-degree days per year; Spring and summer drought has already increased by 12 percent and 14 respectively over the last 30 years. The frequency, intensity and duration of droughts in the region are likely to increase; Sea level rise and stronger storm surges could inundate and ultimately flood coastal communities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The Midwest: The climate of Michigan could resemble the climate of Oklahoma and the climate of Illinois could resemble the climate of Texas; Deadly heat waves like the one that killed more than 700 people in Chicago in 1995, will become more frequent. Under higher emission scenarios, Chicago could experience up to three such heat waves every year; Higher emissions scenarios would cause a water level drop of 1-2 feet in the Great Lakes, threatening shipping, infrastructure, beaches and ecosystems. The Great Plains: Hotter, drier summers will threaten the already overused High Plains aquifer, which irrigates 13 million acres and provides water to 80% of the people in the region; Increased temperatures and higher carbon dioxide levels will threaten farming activities with more drought, pest infestations, and faster weed growth; Under higher emission scenarios, North and South Dakota, which currently see only a handful of 100-degree days, could see 50 or more days of 100+ temperatures per year. The Southwest: Under higher emission scenarios, the southern half of Arizona, southeastern California and Las Vegas could see more than 120 days with 100+ temperatures; Most of the region could see precipitation levels decline by more than 40%, pushing already water-strained areas over the edge; Southwestern forests will be decimated with less water, more wildfires and more invasive pests. Under higher emissions scenarios, California's mountain forests could decline by 60-90%. The Northwest: Mountain snowpack runoff, critical water needs, could run 20-40 days earlier, threatening water resources in summer months; Declining summer streamflows and warmer water temperatures could push salmon and other cold water fish species, already stressed by human activities, over the brink; 100-degree days are rare today in the Northwest. Under higher emission scenarios, much of the region could see 30-40 days of 110+ temperatures per year. Without action, this is the future that awaits our children. We can't let it happen. The good news? The U.S. House could vote on a landmark energy and global warming bill as soon as next week. We're doing everything we can to pass this bill and keep the pressure on the Senate to move a bill of its own. Here are three things you can do now to help: Take action to urge passage of the bill in the House. Forward this email to all your friends and family. Share facts about your region on Facebook or Twitter. Please include a link to our action alert:http://support.edf.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=118 Thanks for all you do, Environmental Defense Fund P.S. In addition to the human toll, this report reinforces the dire threat American wildlife face in a warming world. Go to our Warming and Wildlife campaign to meet and see seven "ambassador" species that face a bleak future in a warmer world.

Need 50k signatures! We're SO close! Please sign!! http://bit.ly/13j5GQ Please ReTweet! Free Laura Ling and Euna Lee!!!

WHO WILL STEP UP?! Ask TARGET to STOP plastic bag use in US! Sign the petition! http://tinyurl.com/mhyxl5 Please RT!!! THANKS!!

RT @newscientist Hybrid cars that can read maps use less gas - they can plan ahead for traffic lights http://sn.im/jtts4

Letter to Target - Stop Plastic Bags

Dear Target,

I am an admirer of Targets stated commitment to the environment.

It has come to my attention however, that Target purchases 1.8 Billion plastic bags every year to serve it's customers. Plastic bags foul our water supplies and oceans, harm our plant life and fish, are ingested by and kill our animals, and use millions of gallons of oil to produce. Not to mention the fact that every plastic bag Target buys and distributes will remain on the planet, clogging up landfills, for the next 1,000 years.

In keeping with your environmental stance I would like to request that you stop this practice. Consumers are much more ecologically aware these days and will certainly applaud such a move on Targets part. If Target would like to continue to supply bags to customers to carry their purchased items, may I suggest charging a reasonable price for canvas tote bags of varying sizes with the lovely Target 'bullseye' logo on them? They would be very eye catching and I am sure they will become a fashion statement in no time. If Target needs any assistance with such a change please feel free to contact me as I would be happy to assist in healing our planet in any way possible.

Sincerely,

Dana Adams

Dear Dana Adams,

At Target we have a responsibility – as team members, as a company, and as global citizens – to minimize our environmental footprint. I'm pleased to tell you that our efforts include using plastic shopping bags made with environmentally friendly soy and water-based ink. Our plastic shopping bags have codes printed on them to help make recycling easier for you. The codes may vary based on the size of bag, ink used and other factors. You can also bring back previously used bags for new purchases at our stores. If you'd like to reuse your Target shopping bags, just let the cashier know during your checkout. Because local regulations and services can vary greatly, you might need to do a little checking to find out how and where to recycle the bags in your community. Right now, we're exploring even more states where we can offer a bag recycling service. For the most current details about all Target does for our environment, please visit: www.target.com/environment.

Sincerely,
David
Target Guest Relations
(800) 440-0680
www.target.com