Plastic bags consumed this year:

This morning I blew off sniping photos of poor trash management in favor of playing with my two boys - easy decision. So instead of posting a photo, I thought I’d post this numerical reminder of how blind we are to our consumption. Over 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide each year, and the vast majority of these are thrown into the trash (more fun facts). Recycling can have an impact, but the goal is to avoid them all together.

Please take a canvas bag when you shop…and not just to the grocery store. If you don’t have one, check out The Little Green Bag Project for some free green bags of your own.

Check out the Weekly Trashed archives and Flickr Set for more.