Celebs bag groceries for Earth Day in advance of plastic ban

By Wendy Osher

Local celebrities will bag groceries this Saturday in celebration of Earth Day, and in advance of a plastic bag ban that is set to go into effect on January 11, 2011.

The plastic bag reduction bill prohibits the distribution of plastic bags at the point of sale.  When the council passed the bill and the Mayor signed the measure on August 22, 2009, Maui became the first county in the state to act to prohibit distribution of plastic bags.  With more than 50 million single-use plastic bas used in the County of Maui, the legislation was aimed at reducing usage and preventing plastics from ending up in landfills, parks and oceans.

Councilman Mike Molina who introduced the bill, joins Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, along with representatives from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and workers from the county’s Waste Management department in bagging groceries at noon on Saturday, April 24^th at Whole Foods Market in Kahului.  The event is part of the store’s month-long calendar of Earth Day events and is aimed at raising awareness of the upcoming county-wide ban.

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares is pictured bagging groceries during a similar event in 2008. The event at Pukalani Superette, highlighted reef protection and encouraged decreased use of plastic bags. FILE PHOTO CREDIT: County of Maui, August 2008

Additionally, residents will be able to meet the people behind several of Maui’s nonprofit organizations and learn how to contribute to building a greener, sustainable Maui. Participating organizations include The Nature Conservancy, Community Work Day Program, and The Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

On April 24, residents can learn more about caring for the land, at the store’s Malama Aina Festival, which highlights various local nonprofit organizations committed to building a more sustainable Maui.

“Throughout the month of April, we invite residents to participate in our exciting line up of events and learn more about what they can do within their own community to care for the environment,”  said Elyse Ditzel, Whole Foods Market Kahului, marketing supervisor.

Other Whole Foods Market Kahului Earth Day activities throughout the month of April include:

EARTH MONTH at Whole Foods Market, April 22 – 30:  In celebration of Earth Day, Whole Foods Market has partnered with Maui County to encourage shoppers to go plastic-free. Starting on Earth Day, April 22, through the end of the month shoppers who spend $50 or more will receive a free reusable shopping bag while supplies last, limit one per customer.

Furlough “Fry”-day at Whole Foods Market, Friday, April 30, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Whole Foods Market invites families to spend their Furlough “Fry” day together, enjoying a festive farmer’s market, cooking demonstrations by Chef David Paul of David Paul’s Island Grill, as well as container garden demonstrations by The Maui Farm. Additionally, a number of the store’s local vendors, including Alii Kula Lavender, Maui Ono and more will offer product samples in-store.