Far and away, the most common piece of trash we see littering the sides of freeways, clogging gutters, and disgracing our creeks and streams is the single-use, plastic bags. In San Luis Obispo County, shoppers consume nearly 130 million carryout plastic bags a year.  In California, less than 5% are actually recycled.  On average, the bags are used for less than 12 minutes before being thrown away, making their way into our landfills and marring the scenery.

Being near the coast, SLO County residents have a special responsibility to halt the flow of plastic into the sea.  Studies have shown that in the Pacific Ocean, 92% of seabirds and 35% contain petrochemicals in their stomachs.  Pacific trash gyres are composed extremely high concentrations of plastics with bags being a main contributor to marine pollution.  While we think that these bags are “free”, we pay for them in environmental, municipal, and social costs.  So, what is a concerned citizen to do?

Beginning October 1, 2012, all stores in SLO will stop providing single-use plastic bags.  Businesses will provide recyclable paper bags upon request.  Each bag will cost 10 cents, a fee that will reimburse the store for the price of bag.  To avoid the charge and do your part to help reduce unnecessary waste, bring your own reusable sack!  They can be used for years, and eliminate the need for single-use plastics.  For the most part, the use less energy in production, reduce solid waste disposal costs, and can even make a trendy fashion statement.

Here at Bambu Batu, we have several eco-friendly reusable bags for you to carry around with style!  Choose from our Blue Lotus grain and produce bags to store your veggies at the grocery store, bamboo totes, or printed Indian handbags.  Feel good about your purchases and your ecological footprint by making the switch to reusable bags!

Before Pecha Kucha, PowerPoint demonstrations and slideshows were the primary residents of the realms of Boring, Tediousville, and the Land of the Mind Numbingly Dull.  With multimedia conversations under 20min apiece and discussing subjects such as the bicycles built by the Wright Brothers, Moroccan/American/Polish/Latino creative writing and environmental art, there is something to keep everyone awake and interested.  Held this Saturday, October 22, at 7pm at the Oddfellows Hall in SLO (520 Dana St.), the night will offer seven presentations spanning the disciplines of art, regional politics, nature, medicine and music.  Suggested donations begin at $5 at the door and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Pecha Kucha was created by Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham of Klein Dytham Architecture in Tokyo in 2003 as a venue for young designers to meet and discuss their works.  Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit-chat”, the events have spread to over 230 cities across the world, all following the format of “20×20″, or 20 images for each 20 seconds of exhibition.  The brevity of each discussion provides for succinct conversations that focus on the most important and essential elements of a topic.  Any member of the community is allowed to present, and speakers are selected by community panels and organizers in each city.

Support the intellectual and artistic members of your community by attending Pecha Kucha!  Interested in presenting for the next installment?  For more information contact the organizers at (805) 801-6922.  Be entertained and informed this weekend with subjects that will expand your horizons and connect you to the fascinating individuals living in you area!

Ahhh, sunny SLO. What better way to relax, and fulfill two great New Year’s resolutions at once, than by taking in the scenery on foot and on your bike. You can get some extra exercise and reduce your carbon emissions at the same time. In fact, it’s such a good idea, there’s a whole organization dedicated to it.

San Luis Obispo Car Free is an non-profit group committed to reducing emissions and pollution in San Luis Obispo by giving incentives to visitors who commit to being Car-Free for the duration of their stay.

Incentives include discounts from local restaurants and businesses, activities and tours, and hotels and accommodations. Yes, in case you were wondering, your friends here at Bambu Batu are participating members. As are many of our neighbors, including the SLO Museum of Art and Creekside Brewing Company.

I can personally say that I don’t know any downtown area as conducive to a car-free lifestyle as SLO. I’ve been without a car for two and a half years now, and aside from the occasional bus trip out of town sitting next to Sneezy or Droopy, or the groans I get once in a while when hitting up a friend for a ride, I haven’t run into too many problems, and I’ve gotten to know the town better. It’s small enough that you might miss some of it — even a lot of it — if you stick to the comfortable, climate — controlled confines of your SUV.

SLO Car Free is headed by the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District, and was established in 2009. It’s a smart way to reduce pollution, and promote the community. Join the club! For more information about specific deals and participating businesses, check out their website: www.slocarfree.org. We hope to see your glowing and sun-tanned faces soon!