Did you know that only 1 percent of plastic bags are recycled worldwide? Were you aware that there are 46,000 pieces of plastic litter floating in every square mile of ocean?
When on the sailing trip recently to Belize, I was horrified to literally be in the middle of nowhere and on this tiny island, hundreds of pieces of plastic had washed ashore.
One area of excess plastic bags I had never thought of is dry cleaning bags. Probably because I try to live in shorts and t-shirts much of the time and everything needs to go into two suitcases, I never think of dry cleaning anymore. But apparently, they are a large environmental problem.
One woman came up with a solution and as a byproduct created a fabulous entrepreneurial venture. Although it took Jane Wyler 19 years of allowing the brilliant idea to sit on the shelf while she raised a family, she knew the timing was right for taking dry cleaning to a level of environmental friendliness.
They’re called the Clothesnik, a 100% cotton garment bag made specifically for those who love to dry clean but don’t want to add to the 1 billion plastic bags that get thrown away every year.
Designed with a drawstring at the bottom and zipper down the front, just bundle your dirty clothes in the Clothesnik to the dry cleaners or laundry, and they come back clean and ready to go hanging in the same bag. Just like a regular garment bag, but better.
Today, Jane’s company, Reuseniks, sells the Clothesnik all over the world. Her reusable bag has been purchased in large numbers by corporations, by dry cleaners, by top fashion boutiques and fashion designers and by individuals, perhaps like you, who don’t want to leave behind a plastic bag that can take 500 years to degrade.
Do you have any ideas about making a difference that you’ve put on the shelf for various reasons? Perhaps now is the time to take them off the shelf, dust them off and see if they evoke any passion in you? One small idea like this can make a huge difference in the world.
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I will be more careful in my industry.
Thanks for the nice article
Dedar