International "Plastic Bag-Free Day" Highlighted around the World

On July 3rd, IPEN Participating Organizations from around the world participated in "Plastic Bag-Free Day," highlighting the need to phase-out plastic bags and promote organic reusable bags. Plastic bags can take hundreds of years to degrade, releasing tiny particles of toxic chemicals into soil and water, polluting the environment and harming many living organisms, such as those in marine environments. 

Amongst many others, activities were undertaken in the Philippines by organizations such as EcoWaste Coalition, Mother Earth Foundation, Greenpeace and Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA); in India by the organization Thanal; in Bangladesh by Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO); and in Argentina by Red de Acción en Plaguicidas y sus Alternativas para América Latina (RAPAL). Marches and demonstrations were held, media was produced and a conference was held. 

See EcoWaste Coalition's Blog: Green Groups Make "Plastic Bag Chain" to Call for National Phase Out of Plastic Bags