About "How Do You Say Bag?"
"How Do You Say Bag?" is an environmental education campaign targeting the use and abuse of paper and plastic bags.
Started by Arizona native, Daniel Guerithault, in 2009, the campaign seeks to educate as many people as possible about alternatives to plastic and paper bags as well as raise awareness of the issue. He launched his program and mans an educational booth at the popular Camelback Market, open every Saturday from October through mid-May. There he sells cotton, mesh and Steve Nash-foundation branded bags as alternatives to plastic and paper, and has a wealth of statistics that could startle you. While the campaign is has started at the Camelback Market, Daniel hopes to expand his edifying efforts to a broader community including schools and other educational venues.
In March 2009, basketball star and Phoenix Suns’ point guard, Steve Nash, became aware of Daniel’s mission and offered to help promote "How Do You Say Bag" by partnering his Steve Nash Foundation with Daniel’s efforts. The Foundation has provided reusable, burlap bags to sell to the public with the proceeds benefiting Educare Arizona, one of the Foundation’s beneficiaries. The Steve Nash Foundation has the mission of growing health in kids in British Columbia, Paraguay, and Arizona. In addition to being a supporter of "green" environmental actions, some of the projects that The Steve Nash Foundation is a part of include a medical center in Asuncion, Paraguay, Gulu Youth Centre in northern Uganda, and an all-access, all-kids after-school center in Toronto.
In May 2009, Daniel enlisted the help of Cotton Inc. Daniel's grandfather is a cotton ginner and has provided research and information to help fight against the usage of plastic bags. Many people do not realize how big of an impact plastics have on the cotton industry. Each year, thousands of bags blow into the cotton fields and get mixed in with the cotton since the cotton is picked by machinery. After going through several processes to clean and package the cotton, plastic becomes embedded in the cotton fibers. When the cotton gets spun into clothing, the plastic will appear as a black spot, forcing clothing stores to sell them at discounted rates, costing both the cotton and clothing industries millions of dollars annually. Cotton Inc. has provided cotton bags to be sold both at the market and online, benefiting The Steve Nash Foundation.
If you live in Phoenix, be sure to stop by the Camelback Market to purchase your bags. If you‘re not nearby, click here to place an order online.
About Daniel
Daniel Guerithault was born in Phoenix Oct. 12, 1990. He has worked at his parents' restaurant since he was eight, making crêpes and paninis in the restaurant’s Camelback Market on Saturday mornings. He attended All Saints' and Brophy College Preparatory, graduating in the class of 2009, and is currently a sophomore at Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University majoring in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in energy and the environment. Daniel launched "How Do You Say Bag?" with The Steve Nash Foundation and Cotton Inc., in October 2009.
To contact Daniel, please send an email to daniel@howdoyousaybag.org
