Broader Ban Proposed on Plastic Bags in SF Stores

A city supervisor is proposing broadening the city-wide ban on single-use plastic bags already in place at large supermarkets and chain pharmacies.  Right now, this law requires such stores to provide only three types of bags to customers: compostable plastic bags, recyclable paper bags, or reusable bags.  The expanded ban would include nearly all retailers in the city, such as smaller markets, restaurants, convenience stores, clothing stores, and others.  The exceptions to the rule would include plastic bags for produce, newspapers, and dry cleaning.  The expanded law would also add a $0.05 charge per bag for paper bags at checkout.

Here’s a link to an article that discusses the development:

http://sfappeal.com/news/2010/08/plastic-bans.php

Eco Index for Clothing and Footwear Brands

There’s an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal about “Eco Index,” a software tool in the works that will help brands and retailers gauge how “green” their apparel and footwear is.

The aim of Eco Index is to provide a common way for manufactures and retailers to measure the environmental impact of the clothing and shoes they produce and sell.  It gives a score based on answers to a series of questions covering issues such as raw material production, manufacturing practices, how the materials and goods are packaged and transported, and how consumers wash and eventually dispose of the clothes.

Relay for Life Results

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the 2010 Relay for Life. Team Oasis Bags attained silver status at the event and raised $7,827.- to fight Cancer.

It was a wonderful and fulfilling night, filled with friendship, commaradry and rememberance. Luminaries were lit on the night for the following loved ones who have either passed away from this terrible disease or are currently courageously fighting Cancer

- Dr. Robert Ammon (father of Oasis Bags VP)- 2009 – Leukemia

- The late Mr.Hardial Singh and Mrs Parkask Kaur Maloni (parents of Oasis Bags President)

- Mr.Waren Kwasnek –  2009

- Mr.Darham Roscha –  2006 – Leukemia

- Mrs.Kundi – 2008 – Brain Cancer

- Mdm.Liette Campeau (aunt of our coworker Julie)- 2008

- Debbie Hrynkw (our co-worker) – currently battling colon cancer

- Mr.Gremeaux (father of our co-worker Catherine) – just received good news that his colon cancer is in remission

- Shirley Cromwell (mother of Steve Talbot, our team mate and husband of our co-worker Sharri) – Mrs.Cromwell is currently fighting cancer of the Spleen

Our survivor for the night was Henriette Charbonneau (mother of our co-worker Julie) who is in remission from Breast Cancer.

Did you know that in the 70′s there was a 25% rate of remission, in the 80′s the remission rate was 33% and now in 2010 we have risen to 60%….let’s keep fighting. Good things are happenning!

Setting up the Oasis Bags camp base

March of the Survivors

Remembrance Luminaries

Remembrance Luminaries

Walking with Friends

Oasis Bags kids enjoying the Relay for Life

Rest Station

Taking turns walking the relay

Hailey & Robin

Fun Times!

Continuing into the night [Nadia, Robin, Catherine, Sylvain & Alicia]

Team Oasis Bags to walk “Relay for Life”

Our team is very excited about participating in this year’s Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life because we want to help support a great cause.

You can help us make cancer history by supporting our team now. 15 walkers will represent Oasis Bags this weekend in Maxville, Ontario. Click on this link if you are interested in supporting us help find a cure for cancer.

Whole Foods Magazine Feature!

Hi All,

First off, Happy Earth Day!

We are very proud to have been featured in the Eco-Friendly Products article for the April issue of WholeFoods Magazine. Check it out for some great green home tips!

40th Anniversary of Earth Day

Please read an important message below.. a way you can help on Earth Day!

THE EARTH DAY 2010 CLIMATE DECLARATION

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, when 20 million Americans flooded the streets and demanded environmental accountability from leaders in Washington.

While great progress has been made since, today brings new challenges posed by climate change and an addiction to fossil fuels. To address these threats, we must fundamentally change the way we innovate, produce and consume. This simply will not happen until Congress passes a comprehensive climate and clean energy bill to rebuild our economy, secure energy independence, and address the climate crisis.

April 25 is our chance to demand accountability from Congress.  Americans from all walks of life will gather for the Climate Rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC. There, we will demand that our leaders pass strong climate legislation that benefits all Americans while sending a powerful message to the polluter lobby: we’ve had enough of dirty power, the time for change is now.

Help us motivate Congress by signing this petition. During The Climate Rally, your name will appear in lights – all signers will be displayed to the crowd, and to Congress, in a visualization of the power behind America’s call for fair, ambitious and comprehensive climate legislation.

Ban Plastic Bags in Your City!

It’s time plastic bags went the way of the dinosaur – extinct! These disposable, toxic bags are an environmental hazard and a consumer of oil. We are collectively using about 12 million barrels of oil to produce the plastic bags that are used each year. That’s outrageous.

Help put an end to this unnecessary pollution. Write a petition letter using this link to your city council member and encourage them to ban plastic bags in your community.

Crisis in Haiti

We at Oasis Bags are deeply saddened by the devestation in Haiti. We wanted to provide our followers and clients with a list of several organizations currently working to provide aid and relief:

Canada: The Government of Canada will match dollar for dollar the contributions of individual Canadians to eligible Canadian charitable organizations in support of humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction efforts in response to the earthquake in Haiti, up to a total of $50 million. The government will then use the relief fund to provide assistance through Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations, as per established channels and procedures.

- Canadian Red Cross

- Oxfam Canada

- Unicef Canada

- Text Haiti to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada (Bell/Rogers/TELUS)

United States:

- American Red Cross: Text Haiti to 90999 to donate $10 (billed to your phone)

- Yele Haiti:  Text Yele to 501501 to donate 5$ or go to the site to donate more

- United Nations World Food Programme: save lives by getting food to the hungry fast

NOTE- There are several other charities you can help, check with your local news websites for more details.

[Belated] Happy New Year!

Happy New Year followers! A quick post to give our best wishes to everyone for 2010. We have a big year ahead at Oasis Bags and will be releasing some new products and designs, so stay tuned!