International Plastic Bag Free Day, celebrated on July 3rd, is a global initiative that aims to eliminate the use of plastic bags.

Plastic bags may seem like a grocery shopping convenience, but they are also a huge strain on the environment. They can take up to 500 years to disintegrate and are a contributor to pollution of our land and waterways.

This day is a great opportunity to:

1. Stop using plastic bags. Or stop using other plastic items such as red plastic drinking cups.

2. Reuse and recycle the plastic bags you already have. You can use them as extra trash bags or as an alternative to a lunchbox. If you want to recycle them, the Tops Markets in Silver Creek and Fredonia are drop-off sites.