Saturday, we had a booth for the first time at a farmers' market. Our tent wouldn't go up, then our easel broke, but we managed with our three folding tables alone. One of our Roots & Shoots families had donated grapefruit from their backyard tree, so we had full bags to sell to help raise funds. One woman stopped by to talk about trash bags. It seems her New Year's resolution was to not take any more plastic or paper bags home from the store. But she was left wondering what to do with her trash. It's always great to meet someone who has taken their environmental commitment to the next level! An interesting discussion ensued about biobags made from cornstarch and composting as two ways to address the trash issue. I shared what another Roots & Shoots member told me she heard from Julia Butterfly Hill - we talk about throwing things away, but there is no "away." We live on this planet in a closed system. Another gentleman shared his frustration working in the restaurant industry. His restaurant and other businesses within their plaza do NO RECYCLING whatsoever. Everything - glass, cardboard, cans - goes in the trash. Why? Because it is less expensive to have the one trash service rather than pay for trash and recycling. Citizens - as consumers and employees - need to speak out and demand that businesses act ethically! This seems to be happening more and more in regard to big business, but the smaller businesses need to hear it too. Overall, there were clearly more customers at the market who brought bags from home than those who carried out their goods in disposable plastic. A significant change has definitely occurred in the last several years! Now, ever forward....