Our idea concerning the reduction of carbon footprint focuses on the simple concept of finding alternative methods for using plastic bags. Why plastic bags you might ask? Well, it is because it is the single most prevalent pollution that ends up in the environment. In America alone, we use 100 billion plastic bags a year. And according to waste management, only 1 percent is returned for recycling. It makes it so that the average family recycles about 15 plastic bags a year. The rest of the unrecycled bags are stored in a landfill. 

      We chose our group project over our individual contribution because of the long term impact it will have. Our individual contributions require an effort that most people cannot devote easily whereas reducing carbon footprint through plastic bags is better and consumes less time. Its the awareness and impact of the bags saved in general that will be better. It is a better way to reduce carbon footprint not only through 6 people, but society in general. We made enough impact to get 322 people to participate, what more if we had more time. Not only does mitigating plastic bag usage help reduce the carbon footprint but its benefits on the environment would greatly help reduce plastic waste contamination of our oceans and ecosystems. Plastic waste damages animals that inhabit these ecosystems with the harm done to their physical being as well as their habitats making it harder to breed and sustain themselves. It goes even further than this with a large portion of humans ingesting food which has been contaminated by plastic which can have adverse effects on health.We believe that something as simple as finding alternative things to use instead of plastic bags is an ideal solution and will lead to more people participating later on. It starts with a simple change and it will have a major impact later on. 

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