Each November, Great Lakes Great Responsibility rallies local businesses to embrace a pledge for No Bag November! By reducing plastic bag use, participating businesses are helping keep plastic out of our Great Lakes, supporting cleaner water and a sustainable future.
Holidays = More Plastic Consumption
During the holiday season plastic consumption spikes with Americans and Canadians generating 25% more waste than at any other time of the year. Each year, an estimated 22 million pounds of plastic, including bags, pollute the Great Lakes. Over 85% of trash collected during Great Lakes beach cleanups is plastic.
Opt Out of Being on Plastic Bag Autopilot
During the month of November, we are asking local businesses to help reduce unnecessary plastic waste by not giving out single-use bags by default. Instead of automatically handing out single-use bags, encourage customers to ask for one only if they need it.
This small shift can make a big splash — helping keep plastic out of our Great Lakes and sparking important conversations about plastic pollution.
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We’ll make it easy for you to participate! The only change your team needs to make is to offer bags by request only. Great Lakes Great Responsibility will provide a ready-to-display poster for your register, letting customers know your business has proudly taken the No Bag November pledge.
Ok, We're In! What's Next?
Take the pledge by registering here. We will send you links to print display materials before November begins!
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Consider adding some fun "no-bag" incentives for customers who opt to go bag-free like a discount on their purchase, or a contest to win a gift card.
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Participating businesses will be featured in special spotlights on Great Lakes Great Responsibility's social media channels, presenting your business to our 47k Instagram and 2k Facebook followers. We want you to get the recognition you deserve for taking the pledge.
