Why not just bring everything of your own?

Yesterday I posted about bringing your own mug, but today I want to talk about another important thing you should bring of your own... a bag! How many times do you go shopping and fill up those pesky plastic bags? If you are anything like the way I was, you would get home, unpack all your bags, and then either toss them in the trash or start putting them away for "someday." It gets to the point where you are either throwing tons of plastic into the trash, or you just have a MILLION plastic bags building up in a cabinet or drawer.

Something you may not know, is that it takes 500 YEARS for most plastic bags to decompose... YES, 500!!! 5 CENTURIES!!! Sure, they can be recycled, but most people aren't willing to tote all their plastic bags to their local recycling centre to see to it that they are recycled. Even if you reuse the bags for trash, etc, you are still placing plastic into our already crammed landfills!!!

So what are some positive alternatives to plastic bags? I can think of two awesome ones!

First, buy bags that decompose! Several companies have started making bags out of corn (crazy!) and these bags decompose in 30-60 days! One example of such a company is BioBags that can be purchased in all different sizes from here:
http://www.biodegradablestore.com/index.html

Several companies, including Mountain Equipment Co-Op, have opted to not only donate 5 cents if you bring your own bag, but the bags they DO give are also decomposable!!! For more information on MEC's bag policies, check out their website at www.mec.ca

A Second option is just bringing your own bag! Then when they ask if you need a bag, you can say no! Or you can tell them right up front that you won't be needing a bag because you brought your own!

A vain benefit to bringing your own bag, is that you can buy some really gorgeous ones now! Here are a few companies I recommend... their bags are so beautiful you won't forget to stuff it in your pocket before you leave the house =)

http://www.bringyourownbag.ca
http://www.reusablebags.com/

The Green Bunny is now www.thegreenbunny.ca!

Now you can get to The Green Bunny by just typing in a quick and easy url!

We are now http://www.thegreenbunny.ca/

Much easier to remember, isn't it?

The Green Bunny on Flickr!

I am proud to announce that we now have a Flickr account for The Green Bunny =) This means I will be hoping for some reader participation regarding picture posts!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreenbunny/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreenbunny/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thegreenbunny/

I will regularly do picture calls, so keep your eyes open :)

Why not BYO? (Bring Your Own!)

Over the last few days I have been experimenting with a new concept: bringing my own mug. I must confess, I am ADDICTED to coffee and tea shops. I love their music, their relaxing environment full of intellectuals and people on the go, and most of all (of course) I LOVE drinks! I've never been into alcoholic drinks, so teas and coffees are how I indulge my seemingly-inate desire as a human to constantly be drinking something. As a result, I have probably used and thrown out 2-3 cardboard cups every day for the past 6 years or so. THAT IS A LOT OF TRASH!

So recently, I was inspired by those around me to bring my own mug. Several weeks ago after volunteering for the first Pancakes for Pride event, I was given a free "decorate your own mug" in my volunteer gift pack. So Sunday night I sat at my kitchen table and "made my own mug." Now not only do I get to save the environment one little bit at a time, but I get to show off all the amazing stickers I have been given over the past several months =) My mug is now not only a statement expressing that I don't want to waste paper cups, but it also serves as a mini-billboard for the rights of living things!

Of course, bringing your own mug isn't ALWAYS fun and games... you'll have to carry the mug around with you and clean it regularly. There is nothing like opening an old, uncleaned mug and finding that a small smelly rainforest has started to grow inside it. I'll admit, I also sort of hate carrying things around if I don't have to. But the benefits of bringing your own mug FAR outway the negatives. For those of you that are still in doubt, just give it a try! And here are some tips on making bringing your own mug easier:

*Opt for a mug that has a SUPER leak-proof, no-spill top.

*Get a mug that suits your personality! Express yourself through your mug!

*Shoot for a product that is stainless steel. Plastic mugs can drop and break; plus they don't keep your drink NEARLY as warm/cool.

*Always know how much liquid your mug holds. Then when you are ordering, you can let the barrista know what size beverage your mug fits.

And finally, here are a few "mugshots" for you!

Queer Speed Dating

A friend of mine posted this in their Livejournal, and I wanted to advertise it here for a number of reasons:

1.) They don't want to waste paper on advertising, so they are relying on word-of-mouth and the use of the web (I admire that!)

2.) I don't think there are nearly enough events where people who are genderqueer (etc) can feel comfortable and welcome.

So check it out!

Volunteers Needed!

I probably sound like a broken record of sorts, but I want to really emphasize the need that a few local non-profits have for volunteers! If you have even a few hours on a weekend, you may want to be involved!

Vancouver Pride Season (volunteer for the Vancouver Pride Society)
There are several events coming up towards the end of July and of course, the biggest clump of events occur the first week of August! Volunteers get free T-Shirts, admission to events (ie. Gay Day at Playland!) and of course, you get to be apart of the biggest Pride events in Canada!
For more information, check out the VPS website volunteer form here:
http://www.vancouverpride.ca/involve_volunteer.cfm?pageid=8

Out On Screen
Out on Screen hosts the biggest queer film festival in Canada, and it is held right here in Vancouver! There are tons of volunteer positions available, so whatever you are good at doing, there is likely a volunteer position for you! I tend to be biased, but I recommend working on the new "Street Teams," where you get to dress up and hand out flyers in your favorite neighborhoods! The perks for Out on Screen are amazing: free tickets for every 5 hours you work, free volunteer T-Shirts, and a chance to network with some of the most important people in Independent Film!
For more information, check out the Out on Screen website here:
http://www.outonscreen.com/content/Volunteer/17/4/0

Car-Free Commercial Drive Festival
I cannot emphasize how excited I am that there are going to be two of these festivals this year! The first festival, which was held in June, was absolutely fantastic! The second (held on July 22nd) will be equally as fantastic, if not more. People are still needed to help with Barricades, so PLEASE consider signing up for a 2 hours shift! Volunteers get discounts on T-shirts and tanks, and access to a Green Room full of donated food and drink! This festival is highly organized and great if you are interested in social issues...
For more information, check out the website here!:
http://www.commercialdrivefestival.org/

July Events

JULY EVENT LISTING

Here is a brief list of some events coming up in July! I am so sorry it is posted later than usual!
ALSO: If you are interested in volunteering for ANY of the Pride events, or are interested in a Barricade shift for the Car-Free Commercial Drive Festival, PLEASE CONTACT ME AND I WILL ARRANGE IT! Your help is needed!!!

July 7th: Pancakes for Pride Pancake Breakfast (To Support the VPS), @ The Fountainhead Pub from 11am-2pm.

July 7th: Vancouver Pride Society Volunteer Open House, @ Little Sister's Bookstore on Davie in downtown Vancouver, from 11am-5pm.

July 13th: Doria Roberts Concert (an amazing queer performer), @ the Media Club (695 Cambie Street. Show starts at 6pm and costs $10. Don't miss it :)
For more info go here:
http://www.superdyke.com/eventinfo.php?loc=1&month=07&event=1469

July 14th: Picnic in the Park! (A Vancouver Pride Event), @ Brockton Oval in Stanley Park, from 11am-7pm. Check out more information on this event here: http://www.vancouverpride.ca/event-details.cfm?pageid=36&id=163.

July 21st: Gay Day At Playland!!!, @ Playland, of course!, from noon to 8pm. Wear a red shirt to show your pride! Check out more information on this event here:
http://www.vancouverpride.ca/event-details.cfm?pageid=36&id=166

July 21st: Out on Screen Silent Auction, @ Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour) Starting at 7pm. For more info on this event check out:
http://www.superdyke.com/eventinfo.php?loc=1&month=07&event=1494

July 22nd: Car-Free Commercial Drive Day!, @ on Commercial Drive between 1st avenue and Venables, from noon to 8pm! Check out more information on this event here:
http://www.commercialdrivefestival.org/

July 29th: Dine With Pride (Dinner and Silent Auction), @ the Marriott Pinnacle downtown hotel from 6-8:30pm. Check out more information on this event here:
http://www.vancouverpride.ca/event-details.cfm?pageid=36&id=170