| Cloth Bag Project |
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Muslim Green Team is distributing 10,000 reusable bags to Bay Area Muslims. Muslim Green Team is distributing 10,000 reusable bags to Bay Area Muslims to help them cut down or eliminate the use of disposable bags when shopping.  Why do we need this project? Plastic bags are very popular with both retailers as well as consumers because they are cheap, strong, lightweight, functional, as well as a hygienic means of carrying food as well as other goods. Even though they are one of the modern conveniences that we seem to be unable to do without, they are responsible for causing pollution, killing wildlife, and using up the precious resources of the earth. About a hundred billion plastic bags are used each year in the US alone. And then, when one considers the huge economies and populations of India, China, Europe, and other parts of the world, the numbers can be staggering. The problem is further exacerbated by the developed countries shipping off their plastic waste to developing countries like India. Here are some of the harmful effects of plastic bags: Plastic bags litter the landscape. Once they are used, most plastic bags go into landfill, or garbage cans. Each year more and more plastic bags are ending up littering the environment. Once they become litter, plastic bags find their way into our waterways, parks, beaches, and streets. And, if they are burned, they infuse the air with toxic fumes. Plastic bags kill animals. About 100,000 animals such as dolphins, turtles whales, penguins are killed every year due to plastic bags. Many animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food, and therefore die. And worse, the ingested plastic bag remains intact even after the death and decomposition of the animal. Thus, it lies around in the landscape where another victim may ingest it. Plastic bags are non-biodegradable. And one of the worst environmental effects of plastic bags is that they are non-biodegradable. The decomposition of plastic bags takes about 1000 years. Petroleum is required to produce plastic bags. Moreover, it takes about 430,000 gallons of oil to produce 100 million nondegradable plastic bags. And we use 4 trillion to 5 trillion plastic bags worldwide annually. That's using up oil sources without recycling them. As it is, petroleum products are diminishing and getting more expensive by the day, since we have been using this non-renewable resource increasingly. What are we going to do about it? MAS Bay Area intends to custom print and distribute 10,000 cloth bags to Muslims in the Bay Area. There are three main goals of the project:
These goals will be accomplished, respectively, through the following means:
Bags will be distributed free of charge. We would request a limit of 2 bags per family. Additional bags can be purchased for $3. Bags will be distributed in local mosques, Islamic centers, and Muslim businesses. If you would like a bag mailed to you, we ask that you pay for the shipping/handling charges. However, we prefer that you pick up a bag from a local distribution center to save packaging materials and money. To request a bag and receive payment instructions, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it How can you support this project? You can help in a variety of ways: Spread the word to all your acquaintances about Muslim Green Team and its projects. The more people get involved, the more of a difference we can make! Become a distributor of our bags. Help with the distribution of cloth bags to Muslims in your area. Donate financially to help fund the purchase of the bags. Please donate with the left side module. Get others to donate financially, including your business or employer. Click here to download a complete project proposal which can be presented to individuals and businesses so that they can donate to the cause.
Our Sponsors This project is made possible by the generous donations of our sponsors: Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsor |
