Today I’m riding my bike on a wide, winding trail along the Poudre le Cache River near Fort Collins, Colorado. The path is shaded by willow and towering cottonwood trees, and the river shifts from side to side of its banks as it maneuvers past beaches of rounded stones. It’s Independence Day , and there is a festive spirit in the air. Many folks are wearing shirts with an image of the American Flag, or USA emblazoned across them. Where there are houses backing up to the trail, there are flags and banners hanging from fences. There are old folks walking, young families pushing strollers, and others with kids and dogs in bike trailers. We are all from different backgrounds, but we are all Americans, and as we pass, we all shout “Happy Fourth” to one another.  July is a month when Americans often think about the Founding Fathers and heroes of the American Revolution. Our country’s history is rich with stories of heroes who came from all walks of life and contributed something to making our country better. One of my biggest heroes is Rachel Carson. The research she did forced an end to the use of the pesticide DDT, which had decimated bird populations. American eagles were even on the verge of extinction, with only 415 nesting pairs in 1963. Today, there are over 10,000 pairs, and it is becoming more common to see them in many parts of the country. Another hero that comes to mind is Denis Hayes, who organized the first Earth Day. In 1970, way before personal computers and cell phones, he and a handful of volunteers engaged 20 million Americans in community cleanups and tree plantings.   Apart from their scientific and organizing contributions, I think the most important thing that Carson and Hayes gave us was a sense of empowerment. They showed us that real change starts with everyday people. The future is in our hands.  Last month also happened to be Plastic Free July, part of the global movement to refuse single-use plastics. With millions of people taking part, it’s yet another reason to consider how our everyday choices add up to a larger whole.   Nine years ago, I wondered if something could be done about the billions of plastic bags being produced each year in America. With some experimentation, I made a shopping bag from natural Jute fiber. A bag that can be used for years, then biodegrades in the backyard.  I named the bags Stardust, which was inspired by Joni Mitchell’s 1970 song Woodstock: “We are Stardust, we are golden, we are billion-year-old carbon, and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden.”  I started selling them at The Park City Farmers Market and on our website. Today, I’m proud to share that Stardust bags are now sold in a couple of dozen National and State Parks, over 30 REI co-ops, and many grocery stores throughout the American West, including The Market, Fresh Market, and Macey’s in Park City. We are proud to be part of the movement to end plastic pollution. If you’re ready to help keep America and Park City beautiful, let’s start with the easy stuff by using reusable bags.  Recycle Utah, your community nonprofit drop-off recycling center, provides these weekly tips. Visit their website for more information — www.recycleutah.org. The post Green Tips: Reusable bags appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less